ABA Chapter Chat: The Verbal Behavior Approach - Chapter 5 | Mastering Mand Training

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Welcome back to ABA Chapter Chat!

After listening, try a few example questions from our comprehensive study guide below, and don’t forget to comment your answers!

In this episode, we explore Chapter 5 of The Verbal Behavior Approach by Mary Lynch Barbera (2007), focusing on mand training—the foundational skill of teaching children to request their needs and wants. Manding is more than just asking; it’s about giving a voice to those who struggle to communicate and unlocking a powerful pathway to independence and reduced problem behaviors.

We break down what manding is, why it’s critical for language development, and how addressing “mand defects” can transform challenging behaviors into functional communication. You’ll learn the essential first steps, including pairing the environment with reinforcement, choosing initial target mands, running effective sessions, and avoiding common pitfalls.

We also walk through strategies for moving beyond basic requests to more complex mands for items out of sight, attention, and even information. Throughout the discussion, we emphasize data collection as the key to tracking progress and ensuring long-term success.

Happy listening, and let’s keep diving deep into the world of ABA!

1. What’s the difference between manding and other types of verbal operants?

2. Why is pairing before mand training so important?

3. How can I measure progress in mand training?


[00:00:00] Introduction & the frustration of not communicating
[00:01:00] Defining manding in ABA
[00:02:00] Lucas’ bubble example & natural mand teaching
[00:03:00] The importance of immediate reinforcement
[00:03:50] Mand defects & their impact on problem behavior
[00:04:50] Developmental milestones: pointing & autism signs
[00:05:30] Why teaching mands is foundational
[00:06:00] Common mistake: skipping pairing
[00:06:40] Pairing explained: becoming the source of reinforcement
[00:07:40] Case study: Timmy & the missed pairing step
[00:08:00] Choosing first mands: 3–5 strong reinforcers
[00:08:50] Mixing food, activities, and practicality
[00:09:40] Avoiding “more” and “please” as first mands
[00:10:00] Session structure: hundreds of opportunities a day
[00:11:00] Breaking down reinforcers for multiple trials
[00:11:40] The backdoor method: gentle prompting during play
[00:12:40] Reinforcing with enthusiasm & avoiding test-like demands
[00:13:20] Managing over-preferred items & motivation
[00:13:50] Progressing to new mands & two-word phrases
[00:14:30] When to consider sign language pairing
[00:14:50] Data collection importance & methods
[00:15:40] Clicker counters vs. tally marks for tracking
[00:16:40] Moving to mands for items out of sight
[00:17:20] Teaching mands for attention & information
[00:18:20] The long-term impact of effective manding
[00:19:00] Recap & applying the concept beyond ABA