VERBALBEHAVIOR

Verbal Behavior is a methodology that is based upon behavioral principles, but combines the functionality and generalizationofFloortime. VerbalBehaviorreliesonanintensiveteachingsetting,fasttempo,andarapidsecessionofquestionsfromthe adult and later the child. In order to reinforce correct answers and decrease frustration verbal behavior methodologyurgesinterspersingeasyandharddemands(byaratioof20%hardto80%easy).Thetherapistswill challengethechildinareasofweaknesswhilecuttingdownfrustrationbyallowingthechildtorespondtosimple tasks. AlthoughVerbalBehaviorusesasystematic,highlystructuredteachingapproach,itmethodmovesawayfromthe traditionalABAsettingandDiscreteTrialTeaching.Becauseverbalbehaviordoesnotrequireaspecificnumberof trailsbeforedecreasingprompts,VerbalBehavior,likeFloortime,encouragestheTherapisttoprobetheskilllevel ofthechildbyfadingpromptlevelsasquicklyaspossible.Thisallowsforafastpacedlearningenvironmentand quicker success. This also allows the child to be more flexible and less rote because of the variety of topics touchedupon. Like Floortime therapy, verbal behavior uses the childs reinforcement as a method of teaching. For example, manychildrenaremotivatedbyvideos. VerbalBehaviorbelievesinteachingandgeneralizingallthemeaningsofaword.Forexample,ifyouareteaching the child about Coffee you need to have the child complete the following steps before the item is considered mastered: 1. MAND(Request) 2. TACT(ExpressivelyLabel) 3. ECHOIC(VocalImitation) 4. INTRAVERBAL(Answeringaquestion,Whatsyourfavoritemorningbeverage) 5. RECEPTIVE(Nonverbalcomprehension,passthecoffee), 6. RFFC(ReceptivelabelingbyFeature,Function,andClass) Generalizationoccursinstepsthreesixandpreventsthechildfromjustlearninghowtoonlyexpressivelylabel coffeeorhowtoonlyidentifycoffeeamongpicturesandplaces(asoccursofteninABA).VerbalBehaviorplaces moreemphasisondaytodayinvolvementandunderstandingofwhatcoffeeisandlearningthisinformationin context,versusteachinginformationoutofcontext,hencemakingtheteachingmorefunctional.