What I Wish I Knew Before Taking Verbal Behavior (3 Credits)
Heyyy BCBA Ruby here!
If you’re about to take the Verbal Behavior (3 credits) course in your grad program, let me give you a heads-up: it’s going to be one of the most rewarding and challenging courses you take, but also one that requires more than just a basic understanding of behavior analysis. Here’s what I wish I knew before diving in, so you can be better prepared to navigate this important course in your journey.
1. A Strong Foundation is Key
Before taking the Verbal Behavior course, I really wish I had a better understanding of Skinner’s Verbal Behavior theory. We dived deep into concepts like mands, tacts, echoics, and intraverbals, and although I had studied these terms, I didn’t fully grasp how they all connected and how they were critical in shaping communication.
Skinner’s theory isn’t just a list of definitions—it’s a framework for understanding how language works and how we can use operant conditioning to teach new forms of communication. I found it incredibly helpful to familiarize myself with the details of this theory before jumping in, so I could see the bigger picture.
2. It’s Not Just About Language—It’s About Behavior
At first, I thought Verbal Behavior was just about teaching kids to talk. Simple, right? Well, not exactly. What I quickly learned is that verbal behavior is more about shaping behavior to communicate effectively, not simply verbalizing words.
You’re not just teaching someone to say “please” or “thank you.” You’re teaching them how to mand for their needs, how to tact their environment, and how to have meaningful conversations. The focus is on functional communication rather than just the spoken word.
3. Data Collection Is Essential—And It’s More Detailed Than You Think
Data collection in Verbal Behavior is a whole other beast. I had heard about the importance of data before, but I didn’t realize how detailed it would need to be in this course. You can’t just count how many words a child says. You need to track whether it’s a mand (asking for something), a tact (labeling something), or an intraverbal (answering questions).
What I wish I’d known is how specific and intentional data collection needs to be to show the effectiveness of your interventions. You can’t just rely on general observations—you need concrete, accurate data to demonstrate progress.
4. The Process Takes Time—And Patience
I wish I had known how much time and patience would be required to master Verbal Behavior techniques. It's not about using one intervention and expecting immediate results. The process is about building on small steps and reinforcing the behavior you want to see.
Whether it’s teaching a child to make requests or helping them generalize their language, you’ll need to be patient and persistent. Progress isn’t always linear, and sometimes it takes time to see significant changes. You have to stay committed and trust the process, even when it feels slow.
5. Implementing Verbal Behavior Is More Complex Than It Seems
After learning about Verbal Behavior in class, I assumed that implementing it would be easy. Just break down the behavior, right? Wrong. Shaping, discrete trial training, and other interventions are more nuanced than they appear.
What I didn’t realize was how structured each session would need to be to be effective. It’s not just about having a child repeat words; it’s about ensuring that every response is part of a larger teaching strategy designed to increase communication skills. The planning and preparation required to implement these techniques is something I didn’t fully anticipate.
6. The Importance of Generalization and Maintenance
In grad school, we focused a lot on teaching specific skills, but generalization and maintenance of those skills were concepts I didn’t give enough attention to before this course. It’s one thing to teach a child to mand in a therapy setting, but it’s another to help them use that skill in their home or community.
I wish I had known that Verbal Behavior isn’t just about teaching in a controlled environment—it’s about making sure that what you teach transfers to real-world situations and that the behavior sticks over time.
7. You’ll Need to Adjust Your Approach
What I found challenging was the realization that not every child responds the same way to Verbal Behavior interventions. I thought that the same strategies would work for everyone, but that’s not the case. Each child is unique, and you have to be flexible and adapt your approach depending on the individual.
Some children might take to mands easily, while others may struggle. You’ll need to adjust how you implement interventions, how you reinforce behaviors, and how you track progress. The key is individualization—there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
8. It Will Be Worth It—But It Won’t Always Be Easy
If I’m being honest, there were times when I doubted whether I was making a difference in my students' progress. It’s easy to feel discouraged, especially when you’re struggling to get a child to respond as expected. But looking back, I can say with confidence that the hard work and frustration were worth it.
Verbal Behavior is such a powerful tool in helping children develop meaningful communication, and when you start seeing those small wins—like a child successfully requesting something for the first time—it’s incredibly rewarding.
Key Takeaways:
Skinner’s Verbal Behavior theory is foundational—understand the basics!
Verbal Behavior is more than language; it’s about teaching functional communication.
Data collection needs to be detailed and specific.
The process takes time and requires patience.
Implementing interventions is more structured and complex than it seems.
Generalization and maintenance are key to long-term success.
Adjusting your approach is essential to success.
The hard work is worth it when you see the difference you’re making.
If you're about to dive into Verbal Behavior, take a deep breath and know that you're learning something that will make a huge difference in the lives of your future clients. It may be tough at times, but the rewards are more than worth it.
