How people learn to speak

Course Overview

  • Focuses on verbal behavior and interventions based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to teach expressive language skills.

  • Emphasizes the importance of effective communication in individuals with autism.

  • Addresses the delay in language development experienced by many children with autism.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the functions of verbal behavior.

  • Explain how various types of expressive language are cued and reinforced.

  • Utilize discrete trials to teach expressive language skills.

  • Implement naturalistic teaching techniques for expressive language instruction.

The Joy of Hearing the First Word

  • Case Study: Mason

    • Parents felt despondent as Mason, age three, had not yet spoken a word.

    • Mason engaged in repetitive humming sounds, displayed emotions through laughter and crying, but remained largely silent.

    • Parents sought ABA help due to unusual behaviors and a recent autism diagnosis.

    • Intervention began with an engaging activity involving Mason's favorite toy, a ball.

    • ABA therapist employed a technique that included physical interaction and verbal prompts to encourage Mason to vocalize.

Importance of First Words

  • The milestone of a child's first word is celebrated; it signifies a major developmental step.

  • The first words (e.g., dada, mama, ball) connect meaningfully to the context in which they are spoken.

  • Contextual language is crucial for encouraging further language development.

Understanding Language Development

Typical Language Development

  • Most children acquire language effortlessly but actually rely on prior developmental milestones.

Milestones by Age

  • Birth to 3 Months:

    • Reacts to sounds, makes pleasure sounds, has varied cries.

  • 4 to 6 Months:

    • Follows sounds visually, babbles, laughs, responds to music.

  • 7 Months to 1 Year:

    • Plays games like peekaboo, responds to verbal cues, begins to say one or two words.

  • 1 to 2 Years:

    • Points to body parts, uses two-word phrases, and recognizes pictures in books.

  • 2 to 3 Years:

    • Labels objects, uses multiple-word phrases to communicate desires.

  • 3 to 4 Years:

    • Answers questions, discusses daily activities, forms longer sentences.

  • 4 to 5 Years:

    • Engages in detailed conversation, understands instructions, uses language correctly.

Behavior Analytic Approach to Language Development

  • Skinner's Definition of Verbal Behavior:

    • Verbal behavior is spoken or signed language reinforced through social interaction.

    • Emphasizes the purpose behind language use and its functional applications.

Verbal Operants in ABA

  • Mands: Requests or commands for something (e.g., asking for a toy).

  • Tacts: Labeling items or events in the environment.

  • Echoics: Mimicking what is heard.

  • Intraverbals: Engaging in social conversations or exchanges.

Language Intervention in ABA

  • Programs use a verbal behavior framework to enhance communication skills.

  • ABA therapy focuses on each of the verbal operants to encourage language use and communication in individuals with autism.