The Verbal Behavior Approach ─ How to Teach Children With Autism and Related Disorders

As a nurse and mother of a son diagnosed with autism, Barbera (lead behavior analyst, Pennsylvania Verbal Behavior Project) explains an approach to skills' building and behavior change that parents of minimally vocal children can often carry out without professional help. She explains how the Verbal Behavior Approach builds on, and differs from, Lovaas' applied behavior analysis. The book includes sign language examples, sample skills tracking sheets, and resources. Annotation c2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Mary Lynch Barbera, Ph.D., RN, BCBA-D, is a Registered Nurse and a doctoral level Board Certified Behavior Analyst. From 2003-2010, she was the lead Behavior Analyst for the Pennsylvania Verbal Behavior Project studying the effect of Verbal Behavior Techniques in classrooms throughout the State of Pennsylvania. Barbera was the founding President of the Autism Society of America's Berks County Chapter, has worked with hundreds of children on the autism spectrum, and has extensive experience training a variety of professionals. She is the mother of a son with autism. Tracy Rasmussen is an award-winning journalist of over 25 years with a specialty in medical reporting. She has been a frequent speaker for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill on issues of mental health.