Observe & Record Watch your child for 3-5 days. Write a list of all the things he or she wants over the course of each day and how he or she gets access to those items. At the end of the 3-5 days, look at the list and pick the items or actions that are most frequent and most motivating for your child. Also, choose items that he or she does not have an appropriate way to ask for those items or actions yet. Here is a data sheet you can use. Be Specific Target specific actio

Verb-Noun Manding Target Brainstorm for parents of children with autism

Background information on Manding for parents of children with autism who are running or want to start an ABA program for their child.

Verbal Behavior is behavior that is mediated by another person and includes talking, sign language, using an AAC device, and writing. In Verbal Behavior, language is classified into different "categories," called the verbal operants. This classification is based on a functional analysis on how and why we use language. The following is a summary and examples of each of the verbal operants. Mand: Asking for something you are motivated for (requesting). Examples: - The child

Manding and Natural Environment Teaching (NET) are essential parts of an ABA program. Children with autism who are not talking or just learning to talk should be spending the majority of their time in the NET learning how to mand. Check out 5 common mistakes I observe during manding sessions and what to do instead. 1) Not spending enough time contriving motivation The child must want what you have before you make him or her or her ask for it. The person working with the c

Here is a general list of how to get an ABA program for a child with autism started. 1) Read, Watch, Learn Educate yourself and learn what exactly a quality ABA program entails. As with any field there are a range of professionals and you want to make sure you choose the right one that is going to provide your child with an effective, ethical program. Know what you are looking for before you go to the next step. Here is a post where I list the resources I always refer new p

Most of the families I work with are African or expatriate families living abroad who have had little to no exposure to ABA before meeting me. They are hungry for information on applied behavior analysis and want to learn all they can before starting the program for their child. Here are some great resources to familiarize yourself with before starting an ABA program for a child with autism. 1) The Verbal Behavior Approach by Mary Lynch Barbara This book is written by a Mo