Association for Behavior Analysis International

In this symposium, two programs using the VB-MAPP (M. Sundberg, 2007-2008) will report outcome data across a large number of learners with autism. The VB-MAPP is an assessment tool based on Skinners functional analysis of verbal behavior, which assesses baseline skill levels across 170 critical verbal and related competencies (i.e., milestones), compares them to the learners typically developing peers, establishes and guides an individualized curriculum for each learner, and assesses each learners progress on the targeted skills. This comprehensive, data-based assessment, repeated at regular intervals with a large number of learners, provides a nominal measure of program efficacy. A large-scale public school initiative (PATTAN Autism Initiative) using the VB-MAPP to both establish individualized curricula and track learner progress, will present changes in performance for over 800 students across a single school year. In addition, the Behavior Analysis Center for Autism (BACA) will present outcome data for over 40 learners who have been assessed and tracked using the VB-MAPP while receiving intensive ABA/Verbal Behavior therapy.

Outcomes from over 800 public school students' VB-MAPP protocols, administered in fall 2012 and then re-administered in spring 2013, will be reviewed. The results were compiled in public school autism support programs. Over the course of the 2012-2013 school year, interventions including discrete trial instruction, mand training, and natural environment training were implemented as part of training and technical supports provided by the PATTAN Autism Initiative. Data on fidelity of implementation for trained interventions will be presented. The pre-post change scores will be discussed in relation to estimated initial milestone acquisition rate for students prior to the school year that was reviewed. The results suggest the utility of the VB-MAPP as a tool to both establish and guide individualized curricula for learners, and to assess the effectiveness of instruction in public school autism support programs. Further, pre-post scores for all the VB-MAPPs reviewed indicate progress and skill acquisition. Results will be discussed in relation to overall changes in VB-MAPP Milestone scores as well as student performance in various domains including mand, tact, intraverbal, and listener responding.

The Behavior Analysis Center for Autism (BACA) will present outcome data for over 40 learners who were assessed and tracked using the VB-MAPP. These assessments were conducted between 2009 and 2013 by BCBAs who supervised the intensive ABA/Verbal Behavior therapy at BACA. The VB-MAPP was administered to each learner upon intake, then re-administered every 6 or 12 months to track progress across a large number of verbal and related skill areas. Pre-post Milestones, language barriers, and transition scores will be discussed. The results indicate the utility of using the VB-MAPP as a curriculum guide and demonstrate the efficacy of intensive ABA/Verbal Behavior therapy for treating individuals with autism.