ABA/Verbal Behaviour - what's the difference

[kitegirl]

We are looking to start an ABA programme for our son, as soon as possible, probably using PEACH as a provider. I'm confused though - what's Verbal Behaviour ABA? Is there a difference?

I'd also love to hear from anyone who is running a home programme at the moment. From what I have read, it does seem like the best option for my son.

Verbal Behaviour & Lovaas are both types of ABA (think Pepsi and Coke are both types of Cola). HTH

Oh Socci, didn't know you'd changed! My view has always been that Lovaas is the best foundation and then you must move away from the structure, whether you choose VB or not, otherwise you are not succeeding in your task iyswim. VBers make the assumption that people using Lovaas do not move on, quite wrong and totally contrary to what Dr Lovaas says.

I agree Davros- we're using quite a VB approach now, but started with a very Lovaas approach (all part time). I think ds1 needed Lovaas originally otherwise he wouldn't have learned so much iykwim.

That's great news Socci. Have been meaning to email you to find out who you went with (I've had flu/chest infection for last 3 weeks - excuses!). I was really glad that we didn't have to choose, it was Lovaas or nothing in our day, as it can be quite confusing, especially as those practising one or the other will tell you theirs is best and genuinely believe it but not necessarily be objective iyswim. If DS had started with VB I am convinced he would have learnt less or much slowly and would have really floundered without the structure. I strongly approve of the work station/room but also that skills must be generalised and it must all be fun, fun, fun!

Hi kitegirl, we've been running an ABA programme with PEACH for 3 months now and are very happy with it so far. PEACH combine both Lovaas and VB elements.

As far as I understand it, the biggest difference is in the teaching of language skills (obviously). While Lovaas might start off by teaching "labels" through discrete trial teaching, the VB approach would be to teach the various functions of language in a natural environment. For example, you would capture the child's desire for, say, chocolate, to get the child to say (or sign, or PECS for) "chocolate", and then immediately give him the chocolate as a natural reinforcer. This is one of the first forms of language children learn and is called "manding" (motivation-driven demands). HTH

One of my tutors is going on that! (Growing Minds have worked a lot with VC- which is why they tend to have a bit of a VB approach, whilst still doing their own stuff as well).

True parenting are also loking to host a Vince Carbone workshop later in the year. They're based in Woking.

I've registered an interest We might meet!

thanks everyone!

Homsa do you mind if I CAT you? would be good to find out more about your programme and how PEACH has worked out.

I'm going to be visiting a friend of a friend on Tuesday who is running a VB programme at the moment, I'll have a chance to talk to her supervisor, very excited about that! DH thinks that VB is the way to go as he is worried that Lovaas is too structured and strict for a small boy, he believes that VB is more 'child-centered' and allows more playtime etc - is that right?

I've also registered for a VInce Carbone course. And going on a two day PECS workshop week after next. This is now, suddenly, a full-day job!!

Kitegirl, that is exactly how VB gets parents if you ask me! I have nothing against it but I strongly believe that Lovaas is a better start up for a young child. If a Lovaas program is done well then it should also be using any and all language opportunities as well as teaching it, the myth that Lovaas doesn't do that annoys me, or maybe some bad Lovaas progrqams don't. I also found that working on other things, things other than specifically language, expanded DS's communicaiton and vocab enormously. I went to the very first VB conference in the UK with Carbone and McGreevy, I was all excited about it and open minded, I wasn't that impressed tbh.

I don't know nearly as much as Davros but from my experience I agree that Lovaas can be a better starting place- I just get the feel that you need some language skills (and preferably some speech) for VB to work really well. On the other hand I do like Carbone's fast trial thing- think that is good. It's like RDI- I think RDI can work well with children who already have a whole bunch of skills in place (and although I know I've had big long RDI discussion on here I have recommended it to certain friends as something that might suit their child).

I also think the consultant is really important.

kitegirl of course you can CAT me, I'd be happy to talk about PEACH and our programme with you!

We are going to do VB with Duncan Fennemore, I saw the programme in action this week and I was very impressed. Also because DS does have quite good language skills for a 3-year old with ASD (I was told contrary to what I thought ), we thought it would work for him. Very excited, I think it will help him tremendously. I am now desperately trying to find tutors so if anyone knows an ABA tutor looking for work in SE London let me know!

I am trying all the universities in London, and D.F has got some feelers out and I am interviewing some therapists next week. It's like having a full time job, getting everything started. I just really liked the ABLLS scoring test - DS is so autistic in some areas and quite high functioning in others, so hopefully we can start from the right level.