Verbal Behavior Analysis. Inducing and Expanding New Verbal Capabilities in Children with Language Delays

Customer Reviews

Good but maybe technical for an intro to Verbal Behavior

2008-03-28
I am the parent of a child with autism who has had ABA and VB programming for some years.
If I were a parent unfamiliar or new to applied behavior analysis, I think that this (text)book might be an overwhelming introduction and too technical as a starting point or as a basic "how-to" of verbal behavior. That said, having attended some workshops and read the basic manuals and parent-oriented texts on verbal behavior, I find this a useful next step and reference that adds nuance and sophisticated information such as autoclitics, use of graphical information for instructional decisionmaking, detail of the transfer process across verbal operants, multiple and joint control, a nice hierarchical progression of speaker behavior, WH questions, why "self-talk" is a prerequisite skill target towards functional conversation, and integrating textual information as a scaffold for vocal and conversational behavior (including conditioning books as reinforcers and using yoked contingencies to shape reading and writing behavior), etc. There are many descriptions and examples of specific instructional tactics and data collection, as well as appendices of data collection forms, graphical data collection, and a glossary.
So while technical, I believe that it is a valuable text as an intermediate step between the fairly descriptive but not necessarily comprehensive or detailed materials usually available and the really professionally-oriented journal articles. For professionals and students of behavior analysis, this could be at a useful and more immediately applicable level.
If I had a real criticism, it might be in the layout. Some information might be more accessible to those unfamiliar with the subject matter if the chapters included interspersed sub-summaries before the end of chapter summaries for allow some pause to contemplate and integrate the material. Perhaps some practice problems or exercises would be useful.

Most frequently found in my photocopier!

2008-03-08
With all respect due to copyright law, Greer & Ross's Verbal Behavior Analysis is the single text that I find most frequently off the shelf and in my overburdened all-in-one printer-fax-scanner-photocopier unit. I have purchased eight copies already, giving them away whenever needed by colleagues and friends.

As a field supervisor working with ABA teachers and teacher assistants in the birth-to-kindergarten age range, I have found this text to be indispensable for troubleshooting instruction and expanding teachers' fund of knowledge within the field. This text is not, as others note, for the faint of heart: many of the interventions that are described had not yet made it into journal publication at the time of printing. It IS very technical, but for providers who have run into difficulties with the basic teaching operations for verbal behavior, this book will provide new "leads" on empirically-derived alternative interventions.

Just read this book

2008-01-26
As the mother of a three year old Autistic son, I have purchased and read alot of books on ABA. When I found a book on VBA I was very excited. As I was reading this book, I became more and more disappointed and frustrated. It is all in technical terms. Even simple things that could of been explained very easily, where put into the most complex formats. The back cover states that it is a book for PARENTS and professionals/teachers, but when you read the preface, it states it is for professionals. I feel the marketing on this book is very decieving. Warning to parents...if you don't have many years of ABA/VBA under your belt already(or an extended education in these fields), this book will be a complete waste of time for you.

The basics with Mathematical assessment all in one

2007-06-08
I just received this product. Being it is the last week of the school year and I also am outfitting three ADA BATHROOMS for clients, I haven't had time to read it.
However, I did flip through it and the Verbal Behavior Analysis appears to be an excellent reference manual as it not only contains quantitative information, but myriads of qualitative assessments of results of behaviors, interventions and results.
Not having been a strong fan of statistics (even during my Undergrad Program in Business) and now as a Graduate Special Ed Student) I am amazed at how physical responses and traits can be interpreted in unbiased manners and strategies for intervention can be determined. And,
Verbal Behavior Analysis looks like it will fit that bill nicely.