Great Leaps Academy

The Verbal Behavior program is designed to increase language skills in individuals with language deficits. Therapists under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, utilize a systematic program that concentrates on specific skill deficits. The method used comes directly from the work of B.F.Skinner and his analysis of how language and verbal behavior develops. Students individual targets and learning program are introduced through errorless teaching techniques to ensure success in their learning. The sequence begins with prompting the target, which means providing the correct response for the student. This procedure ensures success and keeps problem behaviors low. Next, the therapist transfers the target to an independent response, which is then reinforced and builds upon the skill. Now, the therapist distracts the learner with previously mastered, easy responses to further gain independence within this skill. Finally, the therapist checks by restating the initial target in order to be sure they are able to maintain the skill over a delay from the original prompt. Great Leaps Academy, trained with and adapted the teaching techniques with permission from PaTTAN's Autism Initiative.