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Verbal Behavior Continued...... Ultimately, a VB program will focus on the reading and writing skills of a learner—the
ability to read written words (saying the word “cat” upon seeing the written word “cat”) and to write/spell
words that are spoken (write “cat” because you heard it spoken). Within a VB program, language development is the ultimate goal of intervention. Language training
should be incorporated into all other activities for generalization of skills (family routines—mealtime, play, entertainment,
bedtime). Reinforcement is key—delivering a preferred item or praise when the targeted language response
is emitted. Reinforcement is expected to shift from contrived reinforcers to natural reinforcers as skill
level increases and generalization occurs. Prompting is delivered according to a hierarchy that initially provides greater
support—but support is gradually faded as the skill level develops. As this type of program is based on principals of ABA, it includes a written plan that provides detailed
descriptions of measurable goals, instruction on goal achievement and instruction on data collection. Data
are regularly reviewed and graphically displayed to provide evidence of progress.
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