special needs children | Verbal Behavior Associates

February 29, 2020

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 I’m modeling appropriate language and expanding on every move or […]

January 24, 2020

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 screaming, hitting, withdrawal or self-injury. When this is the case, […]

January 7, 2020

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 training that improved so many lives and brought this recognition. […]

November 19, 2019

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, obviously, carry the greatest weight, coping with deficits and excesses […]

The Importance of Good Play Skills