Many families have a veggie-loathing, chicken nuggets-only, no-foods-touching, picky eater in their midst. But families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are even more likely than most to experience mealtime struggles. It’s estimated that 44% to 89% of children with ASD have feeding challenges such as food selectivity, disruptive feeding behaviors, gagging, or overeating.…
For over 50 years, April has been designated and celebrated as Autism Awareness Month, with the goal being to help spread awareness and educate local communities about Autism. As we kick off the month of April, it is essential to know the history of the incredible obstacles advocates and families worldwide overcame to make this…
As most of you have heard there are some BIG changes for BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board) in 2022. Along the way, there are many boxes that will need to be checked off and new changes to learn. In this blog, we will review the 3 most important updates that you need to know! …
In today’s BCBA feature you’ll meet M.S., BCBA, LBA Clinical Coordinator Alexis Law as she talks about her passion for being not only a supervisor, but a coach and problem solver for her team! What’s the most rewarding part of your role at VB? Being able to coach and support my team. I love problem-solving…
Verbal Beginnings is always working to raise the bar. When you are constantly self-assessing, you notice areas for improvement. It’s only natural. And if you aren’t afraid of raising the bar, then you get to work to make sure you are doing what is necessary to continuously improve and make better. That’s what Verbal Beginnings…
In today’s BCBA feature you’ll meet Clinical Supervisor Dylan Rutter and hear more about his love for Verbal Beginnings University, and how his team always brings a smile to his face. What’s the most rewarding part of your role at VB? I find being able to train highly motivated staff and passing along knowledge…
Access to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy is growing – which is great since 1 in 54 kiddos are diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. Over the past few years, the number of providers has grown significantly and with it, the number of options for families and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). Yet, whether you’re a…
We are often asked as kids, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” We go through school, internships, jobs, and more searching for that answer, but sometimes it seems like we still don’t know. And after you graduate? Then the pressure is really on and it feels like everything you’re considering is…
In today’s staff spotlight we feature Tori Finney, MA, RBT, one of VB’s awesome field staff who shares some thoughts with us about how she’s been experiencing gratefulness and growth during the COVID-19 crisis. How has the COVID-19 situation impacted you the most? This has definitely been a time of difficulty and uncertainty. I have…
Do you mind if we burst with pride for a second and give some props to one of our own? Shari Pincus, Clinical Supervisor with Verbal Beginnings, recently had her article, Context influences preference for and level of physical activity of adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities, published in one of the most distinguished ABA…
Extinction occurs when behavior with a history of being reinforced no longer results in access to reinforcement. Extinction is generally put into place for behaviors we want to see less of, and should only be used in combination with reinforcement for appropriate replacement behaviors. Extinction may be illustrated in a variety of ways depending on…
In this edition of ABA Behind the Scenes, Jami Hardy, MS, RBT, LGPC, will be examining positive and negative reinforcement regarding your child’s behavior. When we discuss reinforcement in ABA we are talking about increasing behavior as a result of an event that followed the behavior. In other words, we’re more likely to do something…
People from all around the world recognize April as the “month of blue,” specifically, Autism Awareness Month. It’s a vital time to raise general public knowledge about autism, rally the community for positive change, and inform some pre-held beliefs about autism that may not be true. To close out this special month of awareness and…
Marta didn’t eat very many foods, which is how I came to know her. She liked goldfish, but they had to be plain yellow goldfish otherwise she wouldn’t touch them. Marta would eat some fruits, but no vegetables. She used to eat pasta and French fries, but now she wouldn’t touch them. Marta’s refusal also…
In this edition of ABA Behind the Scenes, Jami Hardy, MS, BCBA, LGPC, talks on how the function of certain behaviors can tell us why those behaviors are occurring. Within the field of ABA, before we begin to help someone effectively change his or her behavior, it’s important that we first understand the function of…
In this edition of ABA Behind the Scenes, Jami Hardy, MS, BCBA, LGPC, will be walking us through what happens before and after a particular behavior occurs and how it affects future behavior. To understand why behavior occurs, we need to know what happens before, during, and after the behavior. In ABA, when we discuss…
In this edition of ABA Behind the Scenes, Jami Hardy, MS, RBT, LGPC, will be unpacking the concept of “Behavior” as part of the term “Applied Behavior Analysis.” In ABA, when we talk about behavior, we really mean anything a person says or does. Behavior includes observable actions—all the things other people can see—as well…
Verbal Beginnings is excited to announce the grand opening of the NEW Verbal Beginnings Center located just ½ mile away from our current center on Columbia Gateway Drive in Columbia, Maryland. We will stick to the same philosophy of improving the quality of life for children with developmental disabilities through top-notch care, now just with a…
These days, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) are in high demand for Autism Spectrum Disorder treatment. With so many employment options available, it can be difficult to tell quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers from the rest. I recently sat down with Nick Chappell, Diana Wolf, and Jennifer Gruber, of Verbal Beginnings to hear about…
If you’re a parent with a very picky eater at home, meals can easily become a dreaded time of day for both you and your child. Over the years, many parents have reported to me that the dinner table transforms into a battle ground when green veggies are present or if the pasta is elbow…