The Verbal Behavior (VB) Program at the AIU offers a comprehensive approach to teaching language and communication skills to students with autism and other complex needs. As we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, formally known as Autism Awareness Month, let’s take a moment to recognize this remarkable program and the critical service it provides to our learners.
Our talented autistic support teachers in VB classrooms provide needed instruction and social-emotional support that better helps students reach their full potential. These classrooms are just one type of autistic support classrooms operated by the AIU and showcase the great success of a specialized learning environment.
“The Verbal Behavior Program has provided my students the foundational skills to grow, communicate, develop coping strategies, become independent, and actively engage in their environment both academically and socially,” Molly Michael, a Secondary Autistic Support teacher at Pathfinder School, said.
The VB program, now in its 10th year at the AIU, is designed to help individuals who have difficulty communicating effectively by teaching them new ways to express themselves and engage in social interactions. Our staff determine specific student needs through skills assessments based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Crucial professional development came by way of PaTTAN’s Autism Initiative, providing invaluable consultation directly in the classroom.
The outcomes can be life-changing.
“The VB Program also supports developing relationships with the students,” Gretchen Morgenstern, an Elementary Autistic Support teacher, said. “Over the years, I have seen students who found it too difficult to look at people or could only sit in a chair or stay in the area for mere seconds at a time. These students are now able to approach staff not only to play but to communicate what they want to play with.”
The program supports students ages 5 to 21 at two AIU-operated Special Education Schools, Pathfinder and Sunrise.
Elementary Autistic Support teacher Kelly Hough said the AIU’s implementation of a Verbal Behavior Program changed the education offered in the schools.
“In my 20 years of teaching, the last four have been the most impactful due to the implementation of the Verbal Behavior Program,” she said. “I have seen my students make gains behaviorally, and socially, as well as become more independent within the classroom and in the community.”
Alyssa Boehm is astonished at the improvements in her son, Mason, who is nonverbal and learning in a VB classroom at Pathfinder. His communication skills have increased significantly throughout his time in the program using the LAMP app on his iPad or by sign language.
“The VB program has also helped Mason communicate with his friends and the staff at school. He loves being able to say “hi” to all his classmates and participating in groups to talk, share, and learn with them. The Verbal Behavior Program has taught the skills necessary for Mason to do these things,” she said.
Mason has been reaching his IEP goals at a faster clip than in the past, Boehm said, and is mastering new words and targets every week. “The structure of Verbal Behavior fits with Mason’s learning ability and personality to provide him with a way to gain independence and communicate with everyone,” she said. “We could not be happier with the results thus far and cannot wait to see what is to come. Mrs. Kelly Hough, all the staff, and therapists have been wonderful! We cannot thank everyone enough.”