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…
Summer is upon us again! And for parents that means one thing – school is out, and the kids are at home. On one hand, that means the morning rush of getting the kids out of the house is done for the foreseeable future. You may even get to sleep in a bit, and enjoy…
It’s May, and that means a fresh crop of college grads are looking to start new careers. If this is you, you may be considering your path forward in life. You may have student loans to pay, and yet, still be seeking your purpose as a professional. After putting in years of hard study and…
April is autism awareness month. Launched over two decades ago by the Autism Society, the whole month is designed to bring awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to those who may know nothing or who may be misinformed about ASD, and to increase acceptance of individuals diagnosed with ASD. A casual glance at Google trend…
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that characterizes individuals who have difficulties with communication and social interactions, and who have repetitive behaviors or interests. With ASD being represented in TV shows such as “The Good Doctor,” “Atypical,” “Parenthood,” and other media, it can be easy to come away with a misconception of ASD.…
Verbal Behavior is all about language. It’s about communication. Within any early intervention or ABA program, a major (if not THE major) goal is to increase communication, in whatever form that takes for the learner. Verbal Behavior, then, is a huge and vital component of early intervention. What sets Verbal Behavior apart is that it…
Learning that your child has been diagnosed with Autism can be an overwhelming experience. You may be provided with many treatment options and little guidance on how these interventions will fit into your life and your child’s progress over time. Today, we will provide a bit more information about what you can expect from Early Intervention…
Learning that your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at an early age provides families with an amazing opportunity to get support early. Children who begin early intervention services in the early pre-school years are likely to have improved long-term outcomes and catch up to the skills of typically developing peers while the gap is…
VBMAPP For parents and other caregivers, the assessment process is often your first step into the world of Applied Behavior Analysis. Your ABA professional will use a variety of assessments, both formal and informal, to help design the program that will be the most successful for your child. One of the formal assessments frequently used…
What does my therapist mean when they say, “Verbal Operants”? Many children diagnosed with Autism who are receiving ABA Therapy have programs that focus on the treatment of language delays. Programming developed as part of the treatment is commonly based on the analysis of Verbal Behavior. These programs focus on the development of “verbal” language…
Developing independent toileting skills is an important milestone for children and families to overcome. Graduating from diapers to the use of toilet is seen as a critical step in the development of young children and helps to promote positive social experiences, successful interactions in the home and to boost confidence in the child. Often times,…
An article in a parenting magazine touts a new diet for kids on the spectrum. One of the moms at the bus stop tells you about a new method for controlling tantrums. Your uncle suggests that you “just need to be more firm” with your son. A friend tells you about another friend whose child…
Christopher Chapman, 27, walks down a hallway past historic Disney memorabilia encased in glass at Marvel Studios in Burbank, Calif. He looks like any other young talent, in a gray sweater and jeans with a backpack slung over his shoulder. Chapman comes across as a quiet soul, someone colleagues might easily label the “office loner.”…
Theory of Mind is a term that was defined by Premack and Woodruff (1978) as the ability to assign mental states to oneself and to others. That is, the ability to infer what other people believe given a certain situation, allowing one to predict what they will do. Since this study on non-humans, the research…
Reducing the stress around homework can eliminate battles providing the family with extra time together in the evenings.