ABA Term of the Month – “Verbal Behavior”

By Francisco Prieto, MA, MS

Welcome to ABA Term of the Month! Here we will explore various terms used in Applied Behavioral Analysis practice, break down what they mean and some best practice strategies associated with either the behaviors or practices!

June 2019’s ABA Term: “Verbal Behavior”

Verbal Behavior is based on the principles ABA that teachers communication and language.

The purpose of Verbal Behavior Therapy is to encourage students to connect verbal communication with actual meaningful purpose in their environment. Students learn that through verbal communication they can achieve desired breaks, tangibles, and/or more time on assignments.

Different “Operant” types:

• Mand: a request for something such as an edible or tangible.
  • Example: I want cookie., Cookie please?
• Tact: when a student points to a pencil or says pencil upon seeing one
  • Example: Student sees pencil and then says pencil without being prompted.
• Intraverbal: to finish a response or to answer a question.
  • Example: What color is the sky? “Blue”.
• Echoic: a repeated word upon prompted, teaches simple vocal skills to build into the other operant.
  • Example: Say “apple” then student says “apple”.

The above example may or may not apply with your client, so please discuss strategies with your supervisor for your assigned client before applying them in practice.