Autism Therapy: verbal behavior (VB) training

definition of verbal behavior (VB) training: Use of ABA methods to help a child improve language skills.

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The Effect of Teaching PECS to a Child with Autism on Verbal Behavior, Play, and Social Functioning
Behavior Change, by Jurgens, A., Anderson A., and Moore DW, published in 2009, summarized Jul 8, 2010

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) may help children with autism learn to speak and play and be more social.

The purpose of this case study was to teach communication skills to a three-year-old child with autism using PECS, and to see if PECS training led to wider behavior changes. The therapists taught PECS using highly preferred items to help the child want to learn. The study found that PECS training came with increased verbal behaviors from the child. This result agrees with other research that says that spoken words increase after PECS training. The authors also found that the child was more social and played more after PECS training.


Teaching Intraverbal Behavior to Children with Autism
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, by Goldsmith, TR, LeBlanc LA, and Sautter RA, published in 2007, summarized Jul 5, 2007

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy can be used to help children with autism learn how to make casual conversation.

Intraverbal speech includes the words that most people say throughout the day that have little meaning such as saying "you too" in response to "have a nice day." The study was designed to see to if it is possible to teach intraverbals to children with autism using the Skinner theories of verbal behavior (part of ABA). The authors were able to teach intraverbals but they had trouble getting the children to use intraverbals and generalize intraverbals. They believe that this meant that Skinner was right in certain ways about how children learn to speak. More work needs to be done in order to help children maintain and generalize their knowledge of intraverbals.


The Benefits of Skinner's Analysis of Verbal Behavior for Children with Autism
Behav Modif., by Sundberg, ML, and Michael J., published in 2001, summarized Oct 19, 2006

Although applied behavior analysis (ABA) has been effective in improving general behavior in children with autism, the authors of this article suggest that more emphasis should be put on using an ABA approach to teach verbal behavior.

The authors begin by describing the views of the influential behaviorist, B.F. Skinner. Skinner theorized that speaking, listening, and responding are separate elements of communication. Skinner defined several types of useful verbal operators, known as mands (requests) as being the most important tools for early education. For example, when a child asks for milk, this mand is reinforced automatically by the object of the request - ??the child receives milk. In this way the child acquires language that supports the development of other mands. The authors also note that the therapist should remember that certain complex relationship words (like "larger" or "before") can be difficult for the child to understand. They suggest that verbal-behavior training, using Skinner's approach can eventually lead the child with autism to understand complex relationship words and to use them correctly.


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Indiana Youngsters with Autism Get New ABA Clinic

Sep 2, 2011

The owners of Indiana’s Second Steps (2nd Steps) and Sensory Critters have added an applied behavior analysis (ABA) clinic to their offerings. Lisa Compton, co-owner, explains that now there’s a one-stop-spot for kids to get the autism therapies and therapy products they need. The ABA clinic provides a team approach to autism, ensuring that the child is supported by parents and teachers, at school and at home. The basis of the ABA program is Mark Sundberg’s Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP), which is an assessment, curriculum, and tracking tool.

Read original article: Therapeutic Clinic for Kids Opens


Minnesota Community Gets Center Focused on Autism

May 25, 2011

Autism Matters Inc. recently opened a clinic in Minnesota that focuses on resources for kids with autism. The staff includes speech and language therapists and certified ABA therapists. Services they offer include: speech/language evaluation, applied behavior analysis, and verbal behavior intensive care-based therapy. Tara Bertone, director of the clinic, believes that communication is one of the most important aspects of treating autism. “These principles used with children who have autism can significantly improve functional language skills and decrease maladaptive (poorly adapted) behaviors,” Bertone explains. In addition to therapy, children received academic training and life skills; they learn how to interact with other children as well as their teachers and parents. For families, Autism Matters Inc. provides marriage and sibling counseling.

Read original article: New Clinic's Sole Focus is Autism


Kaufman Children’s Center Offers Intensive Applied Verbal Behavior Program

Apr 20, 2011

Mechelle Geier’s son Trevor was diagnosed with autism and had a difficult time communicating. Geier was told that he might never talk. She enrolled him in Kaufman Children’s Center’s TrainIn, which is a 4-week intensive applied verbal behavior program. TrainIn’s goal is to “jump-start” communication. A therapist at TrainIn explains, “The children come for two and a half hours a day, five days a week … to receive intensive intervention in speech language and play interactive type of skills." Geier is so impressed with Trevor’s results that she has started a foundation to assist families in paying for speech and other therapies that Michigan insurance companies will not cover.

Read original article: Kaufman Center's "TrainIn" Program Gives Autistic Boy's Family Hope


Verbal Behavior Project Provides Early Intervention to Pennsylvania Schools

Oct 17, 2008

The Pennsylvania Department of Education instituted the Verbal Behavior Project as early intervention for students with autism. At Robert D. Wilson Elementary School, children reap the benefits of this intervention - enhanced learning and language skills. Children work one-on-one with speech therapists and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) to increase speech skills and motor skills as they move from pointing to objects to naming them.

Read original article.


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Speech and behavior therapist conflict

Sep 8, 2009 by Anonymous

Why can't the speech therapist and behavior therapist both agree to work together?  I'm feeling forced to choose one therapy over the other because the speech therapist is having us use a modified PEC system - (verbal / picture & sign method) which is working pretty well and Behavior therapist (VB approach) refuses to let's us use them.  The only person their rigidness is going to hurt is my child!  Anyone had this problem? Result?


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Please comment on verbal behavior (VB) training or other autism therapy topics.

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    • Synonyms for verbal behavior (VB) training include: VB, VB approach, VB method, VB training, verbal behavior, verbal behavior approach, verbal behavior method
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