Abstract
The aim of this paper was to propose and present a behavior analytic teaching strategy and a behavior change plan for verbal behavior for a boy diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder who displayed tantrum behaviors and maladaptive verbal manding skills. Verbal behavior assessment was conducted as well as functional behavior assessment in order to determine the status of subject’s verbal behavior and underlying function of tantrum behaviors. Results indicated that the boy had maladaptive mand behavior and that the tantrums he displayed had the function of escape. Based on these finding, an Incidental teaching strategy is proposed and discussed.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, verbal behavior assessment, incidental teaching

[Title Here, up to 12 Words, on One to Two Lines]
The aim of the present paper is to propose and discuss a behavior analytic teaching strategy and a behavior change plan for a boy diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder with tantrums and maladaptive manding skills.

Client and circumstances
John was a 13 years old boy diagnosed at the age of 3 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). He had no history of serious medical or health challenges and he was described as high functioning by his caregivers. In addition, John was not taking any medications. John lived with his mother and father, and there was no history of abuse, trauma, or neglect.
The target behavior were John’s tantrums that included crying and negative statements. Crying was defined as: the occurrence of vocalization, either sounds or words, followed by facial contractions, redness in the face with or without tears for any period of time. Negative statements were defined as: the occurrence of vocalization (words) with high-pitched voice significantly above the conversational level. John's statements were "No" and "Do not."

Analysis of verbal operants in client’s repertoire
The verbal operants are defined as units of behavior in the individual speaker and are crucial in developing language and communication skills (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2014). Verbal behavior of an individual is consisted of many verbal operants, such as: tact, mand, echoic, listener responding, intraverbal, motor imitation, and visual perception

Using America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 find: 1 Ave...