School is out and Summer is here! Let’s enjoy the summer activities and spend time with the people you love. Drowning is the number 1 leading cause of death in children with autism. We want everyone to be safe going into summer so here are…
I play with children almost every day. Play is fun, but it is also a lot of work. I have to think quickly and kids have to enjoy playing with me. It is the best time a child learns, so I have to make sure…
At VBA we recognize that being on the spectrum doesn’t need to define your life or your talent. We believe that every person has their own unique voice and brings value to the world around them. Susan Boyle’s talent was first discovered on the television…
I started taking up ASL because of my sister. She started it taking as a freshman and I would always see her signing around the house. I grew interested in the language she took up. I knew sign language was a unique language and I…
Functional Communication Imagine not being able to communicate your most basic wants/needs. The blank stares. The misunderstanding. The confusion. The frustration. When working with people who have limited to no verbal expression, they tend to demonstrate that frustration through behaviors. This can be seen as…
Congratulations to Dr. Matthew Howarth, founder of Verbal Behavior Associates (VBA), and the entire professional VBA troupe for receiving the “You Are the Advantage” Award from the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD). Special kudos to Dr. Crystal Lo and her team for development of…
New Year Resolutions When it comes to New Years, I thought it be nice to share a brief list of what I want to accomplish this year, so that I can possibly be a better person because of them. My family was kind enough to…
At VBA we believe that, with the right help, anyone can lead a meaningful life. And while we recognize that not everyone will become famous or wealthy, we find it comforting to know that being on the spectrum needn’t be the factor that holds you…
The reality of having a child diagnosed with autism is hard and full of challenges for every member of the family. Children with special needs require support from parents, siblings, and even grandparents, and the effort can be both physically exhausting and emotionally stressful. Parents,…
Celebrities are human beings first, stars second, so they naturally have the same strengths and weaknesses, health concerns and disabilities, as everyone else. With that in mind, we share with you some famous people who have been diagnosed on the spectrum. Because at VBA we…