Meet Verbal Beginnings’ Rockville Center Director, Valencia Lanzot, whose journey in ABA began not in a clinic or classroom, but in the homes of Maryland families. What started as a part-time RBT position while finishing a Psychology degree blossomed into a decade-long career built on passion, growth, and an unshakeable love for the field. From…
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As a parent, few moments feel more uncertain than wondering whether your child’s development is on track. Maybe you’ve noticed they aren’t using words the way other children their age are. Maybe social interactions feel harder for them than they seem for their peers. Maybe your child has recently received an autism diagnosis and you’re…
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August is just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to announce that Verbal Beginnings is bringing center-based ABA therapy services to Lanham, Maryland! We know so many families in the Prince George’s County area have been waiting for a convenient local option, and we can’t wait to be part of your community.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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?…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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By Ben Sarcia, Director of Healthy Beginnings at Verbal Beginnings For so many caregivers, the Thanksgiving dinner is one of anticipation. This includes excitement and dread. As a father of two, I typically try to balance my responsibilities of keeping the fireplace roaring while attempting to perfectly execute recipes that I prepare only one time…
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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…
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