What is Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a science devoted to the understanding and improvement of human behavior. Behavior Analysts have had great success using the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis to treat children with autism. Verbal Behavior (VB) refers to B.F. Skinner’s (1957) analysis of language. The primary characteristic of a VB approach to teaching language is that the meaning of a word is found in its function, not the form of a response. Teaching a word or label is not enough. Children with language delays typically need specific teaching on how to use their words functionally. For example, a child with autism may be able to say “cup” when she sees one, but cannot ask for one if she wanted a drink, or to say “cup” when asked “What do you drink from.” ABA involves the breakdown of all skills into small, discrete tasks, taught in a highly structured and hierarchical manner.
