Applying Verbal Behaviour Approach to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

This research aims at developing the linguistic ability of children with autism spectrum disorder by applying the verbal behaviour approach. We will explore, testify, and validate the application of Skinner’s verbal behaviour approach in treating language deficiency in children with autism at a public health institution in Mostaganem. Children's linguistic ability was tested using The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program in November 2019, March, and August 2020. The participants were 40 children (33 boys and 7 girls), ranged in age between 4 and 9 years diagnosed with autism. Based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) criteria, participants were identified with autism levels 1 and 2. Participants were divided into 2 groups: 20 of them were from the Mostaganem Public Health Institution and the remaining twenty were from the Mental Handicap Association, the Children's Center in Mostaganem between (November-2019) and (August-2020). This study was based on the first group (N;20 participants) where we applied the verbal behaviour approach precisely, teaching participants verbal operants (echoic, tact, mand, and interverbal) compared to the second group (N;20 participants) where we used the traditional approach of teaching language. Measurement of the progress in language and communication skills was conducted three times in nine months. The data was analysed based on Skinner’s analysis of verbal behaviour. The results of the study showed that the Verbal Behaviour Approach is an effective tool for teaching language and communication skills to children with autism. Despite slight variations, all children from group 1 experienced significant improvement in all verbal behaviour domains while group 2 progress was not significant.