What is VB Therapy?

Verbal Behavior (VB) is a methodology based upon behavioral principles that relies on an intensive teaching setting, rapid secession of questions from an adult and later the child. In order to reinforce correct answers and decrease frustration, the verbal behavior methodology uses a combination of easy and hard demands (80% easy and 20% hard). This specific method allows the therapist to challenge the child in areas of weakness while decreasing frustration by allowing the child to respond to simple tasks.

Verbal Behavior uses a systematic approach that moves away from the traditional ABA approach. For example, verbal behavior does not require a specific number of trials before decreasing prompts and encourages the therapist to probe the skill level of the child by fading prompt levels as quickly as possible. This method allows for a fast paced learning environment and quicker success. This also allows the child to be more flexible and less rote because of the variety of topics being addressed.

The Components of an ABA program with an Emphasis in Verbal Behavior include:

• VB focuses on mand-training (requesting needs/wants) to increase learning language
• VB relies heavily on positive reinforcement
• VB uses errorless learning to increase success rates and to make reinforcement available at higher rates
• VB mixes and varies tasks
• VB teaches mostly in the natural environment with the focus of generalization
• VB typically uses a quicker more natural pace to support generalization and minimize negative behaviors
• VB relies on probe data rather than recording every response to increase teaching time