VB-MAPP Assessment

Stands for Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program. An assessment and curriculum tool created by Dr. Sundberg. This tool focuses on verbal assessment to get a complete snapshot of verbal abilities, strengths, and deficits. Domains include manding, intraverbals, echoics, etc.

Transitions

May refer to changes from one activity or setting to another such as from an early childhood program to school or from a preferred play activity to a work activity. Transitions are typically very difficult for individuals with ASD, particularly unplanned or surprise transitions.

Token Economy

This is a system of reinforcement in which a learner “earns” conditioned reinforcers such as coins, tickets, or plastic chips to name a few examples immediately after performing a desired behavior. These tokens can be then used to “buy” something that the learner truly wants.

Task reduction

Decreasing the demands put upon the learner in an effort to avoid or decrease frustration levels which then facilitates overall task completion.

Task Analysis

This is the process of breaking up a skill or a behavior into smaller, teachable steps.  For example, brushing teeth as a behavior may be broken down into, say, 7 clear steps that can be taught: get toothbrush, squeeze toothpaste on the brush, brush left side teeth, brush center teeth, brush right teeth, rinse mouth, rinse toothbrush.

 

Target Behavior

This is the behavior of interest designated to be increased or decreased.

 

Tact

A tact is the name or description of an item that is present in the speaker’s environment. For example, a commercial airplane is flying overhead while you and your son are out in the park.  Your son looks up and says, “airplane.”

Stereotypic/Repetitive behaviors

Loosely referred to as “stims.” These “stereotypies” are self-initiated, highly repetitive movements that can be vocal or motor in nature.  Determining the function(s) is important if the goal is to place the behavior under management.

Specific Praise

Also called “labeled praise.” Instead of just saying “Good job!” when a learner just wrote his name much better than the last time he wrote it, say “I like the way you wrote your name today.”  This technique is a good way to clearly inform the learner the exact behavior that you are teaching him.

Scripting

A loose term which refers to imitative vocal behaviors.  For example, a young child reciting an entire radio commercial or a few lines from a movie can be a form of scripting.