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Behavioral Language Interventions for Children with Autism: Comparing Applied Verbal Behavior and Naturalistic Teaching Approaches

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Abstract

Several important behavioral intervention models have been developed for teaching language to children with autism and two are compared in this paper. Professionals adhering to Skinner’s conceptualization of language refer to their curriculum and intervention programming as applied verbal behavior (AVB). Those primarily focused on developing and using strategies embedded in natural settings that promote generalization refer to their interventions as naturalistic teaching approaches (NTAs). The purpose of this paper is to describe each approach and discuss similarities and differences in terms of relevant dimensions of stimulus control. The discussion includes potential barriers to translation of terminology between the two approaches that we feel can be overcome to allow better communication and collaboration between the two communities. Common naturalistic teaching procedures are described and a Skinnerian conceptualization of these learning events is provided.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA

    Linda A. LeBlanc Ph.D.

  2. Esch Behavior Consultants, Inc., USA

    John Esch

  3. Western Michigan University, USA

    Tina M. Sidener & Amanda M. Firth

Authors
  1. Linda A. LeBlanc Ph.D.
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  2. John Esch
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  3. Tina M. Sidener
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  4. Amanda M. Firth
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Linda A. LeBlanc Ph.D..

Additional information

The authors would like to thank members of the Esch Behavior Consultants lab for their comments and suggestions on previous versions of the manuscript. A portion of this manuscript was presented as a paper at the May 2005 convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis in Chicago, IL.

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LeBlanc, L.A., Esch, J., Sidener, T.M. et al. Behavioral Language Interventions for Children with Autism: Comparing Applied Verbal Behavior and Naturalistic Teaching Approaches. Analysis Verbal Behav 22, 49–60 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393026

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