The Verbal Behavior Approach : How to Teach Children with Autism and Related Disorders

The Verbal Behavior (VB) approach is a form of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), that is based on B.F. Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior and works particularly well with children with minimal or no speech abilities. In this book Dr. Mary Lynch Barbera draws on her own experiences as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and also as a parent of a child with autism to explain VB and how to use it. This step-by-step guide provides an abundance of information about how to help children develop better language and speaking skills, and also explains how to teach non-vocal children to use sign language. An entire chapter focuses on ways to reduce problem behavior, and there is also useful information on teaching toileting and other important self-help skills, that would benefit any child. This book will enable parents and professionals unfamiliar with the principles of ABA and VB to get started immediately using the Verbal Behavior approach to teach children with autism and related disorders. The Verbal BehaviorApproach:How to Teach Children with Autismand Related Disorders......Page 5 Contents......Page 9 FOREWORD......Page 11 INTRODUCTION......Page 15 Chapter 1:Starting with ABA......Page 19 Chapter 2:The ABCs of ABA......Page 30 Chapter 3:Assessing Your Child......Page 49 Chapter 4:Developing Reinforcers......Page 60 Chapter 5:Manding......Page 73 Chapter 6:Increasing and ImprovingSpeech in Non-Vocal orMinimally Vocal Children......Page 83 Chapter 7:Errorless Teaching and theUse of Transfer Procedures......Page 95 Chapter 8:Teaching ReceptiveLanguage Skills and OtherNonverbal Operants......Page 106 Chapter 9:Teaching Verbal Operants......Page 120 Chapter 10:Putting It All Together......Page 134 Chapter 11:Teaching Toileting and OtherImportant Self-Help Skills......Page 147 Chapter 12:Final Thoughts......Page 161 APPENDIX 1:GLOSSARY OF TERMS/ACRONYMS......Page 175 APPENDIX 2: VERBAL BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT FORM......Page 179 APPENDIX 3: SIGN LANGUAGE EXAMPLES......Page 184 APPENDIX 4: SKILL TRACKING SHEETS......Page 186 APPENDIX 5: WEEKLY PROBE SHEETS......Page 188 APPENDIX 6: HELPFUL WEBSITES......Page 191 APPENDIX 7: REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING......Page 193 INDEX......Page 197 "Selon Skinner, l'émission verbale étant un comportement comme les autres, il est alors logique de postuler que le comportement verbal est soumis aux mêmes principes que les comportements moteurs [...]e comportements verbal tant au niveau de sa fréquence que de son contenu, serait contrôlé par des stimuli du milieu originant de façon privilégiée des interactions sociales*" Cette approche du comportement verbal (Verbal Behavior, VB) est une forme de l'analyse behaviorale appliquée (ABA) et fonctionnent tr`;es bien avec des enfants ayant des difficultés du langage et de la parole. L'auteure, consultante en ABA et parent d'un enfant autiste, décrit l'approche du VB et commet l'utiliser. Ce guide permet alors d'accompagner les enfant autistes dans leur développement du langage et de la parole et ceux qui utilisent un langage alternatifs (signes ou autres). Il est également question de la réduction des comportements excessifs tout comme l'apprentissage de l'autonomie dans les activités de la vie quotidienne. *Malcuit, Gérard et al. (1972) Les thérapies behaviorales: modification correctives du comportement et béhaviorisme. Québec, Les presses de l'université Laval, p. 113 The Verbal Behavior (VB) approach is a form of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), that is based on B.F. Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior, and works particularly well with children with minimal or no speech abilities. In this book Mary Lynch Barbera draws on her own experiences as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and also as a parent of a child with autism to explain VB and how to use it.

This step-by-step guide provides an abundance of information about how to help children develop better language and speaking skills, and also explains how to teach non-vocal children to use sign language. An entire chapter focuses on ways to reduce problem behavior, and there is also useful information on teaching toileting and other important self-help skills, that would benefit any child. This book will enable parents and professionals unfamiliar with the principles of ABA and VB to get started immediately using the Verbal Behavior approach to teach children with autism and related disorders.

About the Author:
Mary Lynch Barbera, RN, MSN, BCBA, was the founding President of the Autism Society of America's Berks County Chapter

The Verbal Behavior Approach: How to Teach Children with Autism and Related Disorders 5 Contents 9 FOREWORD 11 INTRODUCTION 15 Chapter 1: Starting with ABA 19 Chapter 2: The ABCs of ABA 30 Chapter 3: Assessing Your Child 49 Chapter 4: Developing Reinforcers 60 Chapter 5: Manding 73 Chapter 6: Increasing and Improving Speech in Non-Vocal or Minimally Vocal Children 83 Chapter 7: Errorless Teaching and the Use of Transfer Procedures 95 Chapter 8: Teaching Receptive Language Skills and Other Nonverbal Operants 106 Chapter 9: Teaching Verbal Operants 120 Chapter 10: Putting It All Together 134 Chapter 11: Teaching Toileting and Other Important Self-Help Skills 147 Chapter 12: Final Thoughts 161 APPENDIX 1: GLOSSARY OF TERMS/ACRONYMS 175 APPENDIX 2: VERBAL BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT FORM 179 APPENDIX 3: SIGN LANGUAGE EXAMPLES 184 APPENDIX 4: SKILL TRACKING SHEETS 186 APPENDIX 5: WEEKLY PROBE SHEETS 188 APPENDIX 6: HELPFUL WEBSITES 191 APPENDIX 7: REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING 193 INDEX 197 'This book is an important one. Parents will be delighted with its easy and practical approach. It fills a void that currently exists for families trying to figure out how to do a VB approach. Furthermore, it explains a great deal about how ABA approaches behavior and teaching. The sections on rapport building, the importance of motivation, errorless teaching, and reinforcement are well-written, accurate, and perfectly suited to the needs of parents and professionals new to this approach. Her words of advice to families are spoken from the heart and are very wise.'. - Mary Jane Weiss, Journal A must and wonderful book on Autism for the parents having child with ASD.