a woman helps a child learn verbal behavior

How Do I Teach Verbal Behavior?

Verbal behavior is our ability to speak our needs and respond to others with easily understood language. For children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), verbal behavior can be challenging. Some may struggle to articulate words, have underdeveloped muscles in the neck, throat, and mouth, or don’t verbally communicate at all. Symptoms of speech delays can…

a child works on her listener responding skills

Helping Children Who Struggle with Listening Responding Skills

The human experience is rooted in communication. Every day, we rely on our ability to listen and respond to one another’s verbal cues. This ability to listen and respond is called listener respond or LR in the world of autism therapy. For children with autism spectrum disorder language skills like listener responding may develop slowly…

a mother and child work on listener responding together

What Is Listener Responding?

Communication is rooted in our ability to listen and respond to one another’s verbal cues. We answer questions, follow directions, and voice our own opinions by listening to others who, in turn, listen to us. For those with autism spectrum disorder, language skills like listener responding may develop more slowly or need language skills training…

a child with autism works on language skills

Taking a Proactive Approach to Language Skills

Language and communication barriers are one of the greatest challenges for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their loved ones. Those with ADS may have trouble understanding language and responding to oral cues and questions. Others may have trouble expressing their needs in response to questions or struggle to follow oral directions. These challenges cause…

communication and autism often go hand in hand

Ways to Communicate with Children with High-Functioning Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ADS) can present symptoms in children as young as six months of age. Often these symptoms make both verbal and non-verbal communication difficult. While some children on the autism spectrum may not speak at all, others may have difficulty physically articulating language. Many children with ADS have trouble understanding body language and…

a child thrives now that his mom has learned what is the verbal matrix

What Is the Verbal Matrix® and How Does it Work?

Difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication are some of the leading challenges for children with autism spectrum disorder (ADS). Communication struggles can present symptoms in children as young as six months of age when children may begin to develop language skills. These children may struggle to mirror their parents, make eye contact, or point at…