At Verbal Beginnings, supporting a child’s health means looking at the whole picture, including well, let’s face it: Going to the bathroom. Why GI Health Matters Children we serve at Verbal Beginnings can often experience overlapping needs: autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing differences, food allergies, and gastrointestinal conditions. In our feeding clinic, Healthy Beginnings, one…
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…
Every April the world observes World Autism Acceptance Day (April 2nd) and Autism Acceptance Month. But where did these observances come from and how has the perception of autism evolved over time? Well, what better opportunity than now to do a little throwback on where we’ve come from… and where we’re going! Over time, understanding…
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?…
By: Ben Sarcia Mealtime can be tricky, especially when children on the autism spectrum face feeding challenges. While picky eating is common among all children, it can be even more pronounced in children with autism, leading to difficulties around food and nutrition. In this blog, we’ll explore what drives these mealtime challenges, focusing on food…
In the realm of autism services, the integration of multiple therapies can significantly enhance a child’s development. This blog explores the collaborative approach of combining Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy to provide a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to each child’s unique needs. Understanding the Integrated Service Model The integrated service model…
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) plays a vital role in helping individuals with communication challenges express themselves. AAC includes a variety of methods, from simple gestures to high-tech devices, that supplement or replace verbal speech. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions surrounding AAC, which can lead to hesitation in using it. In this blog, we’ll dive…
In this edition of ABA Behind the Scenes, Jami Hardy, MS, BCBA, LGPC, talks about listener responding in early language development. Listener responding is following directions given by others—for example, stand up, walk to the table, find mom, touch the chair, and pick up book. This is an important skill to discriminate between multiple items,…
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…
As part of Verbal Beginnings’ new Telehealth suite of services, our New Beginnings diagnostic service has launched a virtual option as well! Here to share more about this program is licensed psychologist and head of our New Beginnings program, Allison Maletsky, Psy.D! How is a virtual diagnostic session different than an in-person session? A…
Insights about telehealth services for feeding therapy by Verbal Beginnings’ Director of Healthy Beginnings, Ben Sarcia. As our news and social media channels are saturated with updates regarding COVID-19, one thing has become immediately clear: We are all going to be at home for longer than we had initially thought, so why not take advantage…
In this edition of ABA Behind the Scenes, Jami Hardy, MS, BCBA, LGPC, talks about tacting in early language development. Tacting is labeling or naming objects, actions, or events. It is how we describe the things we see, smell, touch, and hear. In addition, it is an important skill we use to build up and…
In this edition of ABA Behind the Scenes, Jami Hardy, MS, BCBA, LGPC, talks about replacement behaviors and their integration into the ABA process. A mand is a request for something wanted or needed, or a request to end something undesirable. Manding is one of the first forms of communication naturally acquired, observed as early…
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 battleground when green veggies are present or if the pasta is elbow shaped…
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…
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is growing by leaps and bounds every year. This means training programs are in greater demand than ever. With hundreds of Verified Course Sequences now available for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential, knowing where to begin when searching for an ABA Master’s Program can seem overwhelming. Mentorship…
As a parent, when you start an Early Intervention (EI) program using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to develop your child’s skills, you may have many questions about what your child’s treatment will involve. The short answer is “it depends” – simply due to the fact that ABA recognizes the uniqueness of each individual, and caters…
For people who like to help people, an Applied Behavior Analysis career can be extremely rewarding. But, sometimes, clinicians get exposed to one area of the field and never get to experience other opportunities. At Verbal Beginnings, our company is growing and so is our team. Here is a story of one of our employee’s…
When you begin working as an ABA Consultant, you no doubt have a passion for helping people. Now, it’s time to take all that you’ve learned and start putting it to work! Will you work in an in-home setting, or do you prefer a classroom environment? Will you do some hours in a center and…