Verbal Operants

Course Overview

The Verbal Operants course provides an in-depth exploration of language development in Applied Behavior Analysis. Designed for those working with individuals with language delays, it focuses on teaching communication and social interaction skills using evidence-based ABA strategies. The course begins with a lesson on Teaching Imitation, which lays the foundation for learning by showing how copying actions can lead to broader skill acquisition. Students then explore Teaching Social Skills, focusing on building meaningful interactions such as greetings, turn-taking, and joint attention – skills critical for successful social development. The third lesson, Mand Training, teaches students how to help learners request, or “mand,” for what they want, a vital step in developing functional communication. The final section covers Teaching Echoics, Tact, and Intraverbal Skills, guiding students through methods to teach vocal imitation (echoics), label items (tacts), and respond to questions or conversations (intraverbals). By the end of the course, students will understand how to teach and generalize verbal behavior to support lasting communication growth in a variety of settings. IMPORTANT: This course is not designed to prepare students for national certification, such as the Registered Behavior Technician credential offered by the BACB. Enrollees will gain the foundational/fundamental knowledge on subject matter relevant to the profession. While references may be made throughout the training to Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) or Behavior Technicians (BTs), to gain industry certification, a more comprehensive program must be completed through enrollment via approved/eligible schools such as MedCerts.