Behind the Scenes of Verbal Beginnings Academy At Verbal Beginnings, our mission has always been simple and powerful: Changing Lives. One Child at a Time. One Professional at a Time. For over a decade, that mission has guided every decision we make, from the therapy programs we build for the children and families we serve…
Is your child just picky, or is something more going on? Ben Sarcia, BCBA, Director of Healthy Beginnings, explains the difference between picky eating and food selectivity and how understanding that distinction can help families know when to seek support. When we talk about feeding challenges, I’m not a fan of the word “picky.” Picky…
Every great skill starts with a strong foundation — and social skills are no different. Our Social Beginnings early beginner curriculum is thoughtfully designed to help children build the essential social skills they need to grow their confidence and build connections. Through fun, structured, and meaningful experiences, children learn how to interact with peers in…
At Verbal Beginnings, we believe growth happens one meaningful step at a time. Our Social Beginnings elementary curriculum is designed to help children feel confident and prepared as they navigate school routines, peer interactions, and social expectations—building the skills they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. This program helps children move from learning…
Ben Sarcia is a clinician at Verbal Beginnings and leads our Healthy Beginnings feeding therapy program. He works closely with children and families who face challenges with selective eating. Ben is also working on his doctoral dissertation, which focuses on making the first steps of feeding therapy less stressful and more supportive for children. In…
At Social Beginnings, summer isn’t just about the sun and fun—it’s about building confidence, independence, and real-world readiness. Our Teen Summer Curriculum is intentionally designed to help teens practice the job and life skills they’ll need well beyond the classroom, all in a fun, supportive environment. Throughout the program, teens work on essential skills like…
We’re excited to share more about our newest Verbal Beginnings ABA Therapy Center opening in Chantilly in Spring 2026. Today’s blog post is a quick FAQ with a little more detail about our new center. We hope our Chantilly team can support your child and family this spring! Where is the new Chantilly center located?…
At Verbal Beginnings, growth often starts with a single spark—an experience, a mentor, or a moment that affirms you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. In this interview, we sit down with one of our dynamic clinical leaders to explore her journey from discovering ABA during a college internship to becoming a Clinical Director guiding…
Summer brings a shift in routine—for kids and families alike. School schedules pause, days feel longer, and parents start looking for ABA-based summer programming options that are both a fit for their child and schedule. At Verbal Beginnings, we see summer as more than a break—it’s an opportunity. To share more about what makes our…
Verbal Beginnings is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for 2026. This prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Verbal Beginnings. This year, 80% of employees stated that Verbal Beginnings is a Great Place To Work – 23 points higher than the average U.S.…
Today’s post is written by Ben Sarcia, Director of Verbal Beginning’s Healthy Beginnings program If your child eats only a very small range of foods—or refuses entire food groups—you may have heard the term ARFID, or Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. ARFID is used to describe extreme food selectivity or food refusal that goes…
At Verbal Beginnings, growth often starts with a single step—and few journeys capture that better than Danitra Etheridge’s. Joining the organization in 2017 as an in-home RBT, Danitra is now Clinical Director of the Frederick Center where she continues to shape the experiences of clients, families, and emerging clinicians alike. In this interview, Danitra reflects…
The Verbal Beginnings team recently had the joy of attending the Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis (MABA) conference — and we didn’t just attend, we showed up. As a Premier Level Sponsor, Verbal Beginnings was proud to support an event that brings together behavior analysts, students, researchers, and practitioners who are all committed to advancing…
From in-home technician to Center Director, Andrew Padilla’s journey at Verbal Beginnings is a story of growth, mentorship, and finding purpose through leadership. What started as a part-time role during his undergraduate studies quickly evolved into a fulfilling career helping others reach their potential—both in the field of ABA and within the VB community. How…
At Verbal Beginnings, every team member has a story — one shaped by growth, opportunity, and a shared sense of purpose. For Eddie Collins, that story began with a leap of faith. After a decade in the fast-paced world of movie theatre management, he was searching for something more meaningful — a career that made…
At Verbal Beginnings, growth isn’t just encouraged—it’s built into everything we do. From mentorship to meaningful career pathways, every team member has the opportunity to turn passion into progress. Erin Kitzmiller’s journey from an entry-level technician to Director of Program Operations is a powerful example of what’s possible when dedication meets opportunity. How did you…
When Sarah joined Verbal Beginnings, she wasn’t just looking for a new job — she was searching for a company that truly meant what it said about valuing people. After years in the corporate recruiting world, she found herself craving authenticity, balance, and purpose. Six months later, as a Talent Acquisition Sourcer, Sarah has found…
Relocating for a new job is never an easy decision—but for Pam La Mountain, it was the right one! Drawn to Verbal Beginnings’ reputation for ethical, high-quality ABA services and a culture that truly values both clients and staff, Pam saw an exciting chance to take her career—and her life—in a new direction. With VB’s…
If you’re a parent looking for ways to support your child with autism or other developmental needs, you’ve probably heard of something called ABA therapy. But what does that really mean? Let’s break it down in a simple, easy-to-understand way—because we know you’ve got enough on your plate already! So, What Is ABA Therapy?…
By Emily Summers, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA Welcome to navigating the IEP process for children on the Autism Spectrum. It is a crucial aspect for families navigating the educational landscape for children with autism. Understanding the IEP process can be overwhelming, but with the right information and preparation, you can become your child’s strongest advocate. Understanding…