For many children with autism, functional communication skills can be limited, defective, or even non-existent.  Some children have not yet learned that interacting and communicating with others can be fun, reinforcing, or valuable.  The ability to request (mand) effectively for items, objects, and actions can lead to more meaningful social initiations and interactions, as well as a reduction in frustration and problem behavior.  The presenter will demonstrate, through use of video, how the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), can be applied effectively to teach a child to request (mand) vocally. Specifically, participants will be able to:

• Define verbal behavior.

• Distinguish between and select examples of the basic functions of language (verbal operants).

• Explain why it is important to teach a child to request (mand) for things he/she wants.

• Implement the correct procedures to teach a child to request.

• Expand a child’s language skills by teaching them to request other items and actions needed to obtain their existing reinforcers.