APA Dictionary of Psychology

based on the principles of applied behavior analysis and B. F. Skinner’s concept of verbal behavior, a therapy that is primarily used to teach speech to nonverbal children with autism spectrum disorder. The therapy uses various reinforcers (food, toys) first to prompt the child to vocalize sounds and then to imitate whole words and phrases. The therapy also aims to improve the child’s attentional ability and social and cognitive skills. Also called applied verbal behavior.