Behavior Therapists

Verbal Behavior

Verbal Behavior (VB) is an intervention based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) which focuses solely on verbal communication. Verbal Behavior Applied Behavior Analysis (VBA) curriculum is based on the teaching principles of B.F. Skinner. Verbal behavior is a way of understanding the different purposes of functional language; Echoics, Mands, Tacts, and Intraverbals. These components of language are necessary for effective verbal communication and are the focus of intervention meant to teach language.

The Comprehensive ABA Treatment Program

The Comprehensive ABA Treatment (CABAT) Program was developed to include a strong communication component to traditional ABA methodologies. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a data-based intervention modeled on the principles of learning theory. Research has found that an ABA program combined with Applied Verbal Behavior (VB) methodology increases the child’s ability to use language to communicate.

The CABAT program incorporates individualized structured therapy combined with natural environment instruction to meet the needs of each child. Our comprehensive program includes carryover of learned skills into the home and school settings.

The CABAT Team:

• Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA)
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Special Education Teachers/ABA Therapists
• Parents and other caregivers
• Physicians and other health professionals
• Educators School Personnel

The CABAT Program includes one or more of the following components:

• Initial Assessment: The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment & Placement Program (VBMAPP); includes periodic re-assessment to measure gains and to advance treatment goals and objectives.
• Therapy consisting of Individual ABA & VB therapy sessions, and co-treatment therapy sessions.
• School observations to ensure that the child’s academic and social goals are being met and to provide the necessary strategies.
• Participation in the IEP process and meetings so that the child is receiving the appropriate education in the least restricted environment.
• Work closely with school personnel and other therapists.
• Home training may include parents, siblings and other caregivers.
• Communication with the physician(s) and other specialists to discuss the appropriate needs of the child.
• Conferences with parents and other caregivers to provide feedback and ongoing training for transition of skills into the home and school environments.
• Participation in small group sessions to reinforce pragmatic-language skills (Practice Playce).

VBA Treatment

In VBA treatment, a therapist works with an individual child and presents him/her with preferred items. The child will receive the preferred item when he/she imitates ("Echoics") the therapist and then "Mands" (asks) or requests that item. The therapist will ask a child for a number of responses, often in quick succession, known as "massed trials" or "discrete trial training." The therapist will build on success by having the child select from more than one preferred item and by the child requesting that item using a clearer or more audible approximations of that word in order receive the preferred item (called shaping) and mixing it up with other preferred activities. Once a child has exhibited success in manding, especially manding in phrases, the therapist will teach the child "Tacting" (saying the name of familiar objects). When a child succeeds in learning and naming familiar objects, the therapist will then build on that skill using "Intraverbals". Intraverbals are considered conversational language due to responding to the language of another person, which can be achieved either by the child completing fill-ins or answering WH (what, where, who, when, why) questions.

Therefore, recognizing the role of verbal behavior in developing and implementing a language-based curriculum for children with autism has proven to be very successful.