1st Edition
Promoting Language for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder A Verbal Behavior Guide for Practitioners
Promoting Language for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Verbal Behavior Guide for Practitioners introduces the core principles of verbal behavior and provides practical, evidence-based strategies for teaching language skills to children with autism in applied settings.
The book opens with a section that orients the reader to a functional approach to language, best practices for assessing verbal repertoires, and common models for arranging language-training environments. The second section focuses on teaching critical verbal operants and derived language skills. The final section addresses professional matters relevant to practitioners, including the importance of basic and translational research in verbal behavior, considerations related to diversity, and best practices for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Grounded in the science of behavior analysis and aligned with Skinner’s (1957) analysis of verbal behavior, this book equips professionals with tools to assess language, design effective teaching environments, and build essential repertoires like manding, tacting, and conversation skills. Intended for professionals and students alike, this text is broad enough to support graduate-level instruction and specific enough to serve as a valuable reference for practicing clinicians.
Section 1: Introduction
1. Verbal Behavior: A Functional Approach to Language
Henry D. Schlinger, Jr.
2. Assessment of Verbal Behavior Repertoires
Judah B. Axe, Serena Cates, Chuelsia Carvalho, Sarah B. Costa, and Bruce A. Tinor
3. Analog and Naturalistic Arrangements for Teaching Language to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Tina M. Sidener
Section 2: Teaching
4. Strategies for Assessing and Teaching the Mand
Sarah A. Lechago and Mary E. Halbur
5. Echoics
Barbara E. Esch and Catia Cividini-Motta
6. Tacts
Nicole M. Rodriguez, Maya J. Fallon, and Todd M. Owen
7. Intraverbal Behavior
Andresa A. De Souza and Adrienne M. Jennings
8. Listener Behavior
Samantha Bergmann, Tiffany Kodak, and Haven S. Niland
9. Generative and Emergent Verbal Behavior
Sarah E. Frampton and Caio F. Miguel
10. The Role of Multiple Control in Teaching Verbal Behavior
Vincent J. Carbone and David Roth
11. Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Lilith M. Reuter-Yuill, Tamara S. Kasper, Lina M. Slim, and M. Alice Shillingsburg
12. The Importance of Basic and Translational Language Research
Anna Ingeborg Petursdottir
Section 3: Professionalism
13. The Relevance of Culture and Diversity on Language Learning
Rocío Rosales, Samantha S. De Vasconcelos, and Gloria Leyla Fanning
14. Collaborating with Other Service Providers
Paula Braga Kenyon, Shawn Kenyon, Danielle LaFrance, and Beth Bellone
Biography
Jason C. Vladescu, PhD, BCBA-D, is a professor and the founding chair of the ABA Program at SUNY Downstate, Editor-in-Chief of Behavior Analysis in Practice, and co-founder of The Capstone Center.
April N. Kisamore, PhD, BCBA-D, is an associate professor and director of the ABA Programs at Hunter College. She co-founded The Capstone Center and publishes on verbal behavior, skill acquisition, and parent training.
"This volume is far more than a 'how-to' manual of procedures: It includes discussions of the conceptual foundations of the science of verbal behavior, its relation to other disciplines, professional challenges, and deep analyses, not only of the elementary verbal operant classes, but of multiple control, the behavior of the listener, and emergent relations. Moreover, the extraordinary cast of participating authors includes the foremost experts in the field."
David C. Palmer, PhD, Western New England University
"This book provides an excellent overview of recent scientific research in verbal behavior with a focus on its clinical application. I cannot think of a better resource that embodies the scientist-practitioner model, and I believe both researchers and practitioners would benefit from reading it."
Mirela Cengher, PhD, BCBA-D, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
