Verbal behavior

Verbal behavior is a way we describe communicating with our littles. While we oftentimes think of verbal behavior through vocal words, it can be done in many different forms. For some of our kids on the spectrum, they will use speech devices or a picture exchange communication system (PECS), or sign language. Verbal behavior may come in different forms, but the goal is always to provide a way for our kids to functionally communicate their wants, needs, and thoughts with us. 

When working with kids to expand their verbal behavior it is broken down into four different skills. The first is called an echoic, like it sounds, you say a word or sound and the child will echo you. The second is called a tact, this is a fancy way of saying labeling an item. For example, you hold up a ball and your little one says “ball”. The next one is a mand, this verbal behavior is teaching our kids to request items. For example, you hold up a water cup, the child says “I want water”, then you give the cup to them. Last but not least, intraverbals. This is a method of teaching our kids to respond to questions without you giving a rehearsed response. One way to work on intraverbals is by starting with some common phrases such as “The wheels on the bus go…” and the child finishes by saying “round and round”. By starting with common songs and phrases they will understand the expectations that you won’t be feeding them the answer so when its time to move on to questions like “tell me about your day?” They will have the skill set to respond on their own. The fours skills within verbal behavior build off of one another. For example, you can teach a child to tact (label) a common item and then follow that with providing them the opportunity to mand (request)for it. 

While the fours skills within verbal behavior are so very important, my non-researched advice is that the best way to teach verbal behavior in your kids is to provide an undistracted listening ear. When they aren’t quite sure what to say or how to say it, sit for a minute, give them your entire focus and let them know that what they have to say matters. In James 1:19 it says, “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”. When your little one has something to say first be quick to hear followed by being slow to step in and help them through the correct response. And… well… slow to anger too, but that is a whole new ball game.