A Verbal Approach, LLC
About Us
A Verbal Approach, LLC was created in 2021 as a solution to provide high-quality and effective in-home ABA services to young children with autism and other developmental delays. As a clinician-owned company, our mission is to use the science of behavior analysis with an emphasis on functional communication training to improve the quality of life of our clients and their families.
Our treatment philosophy is based on child development and behavior analytic research to develop a structured plan, individualized for your child, using a combination of naturalistic and discrete training in your child's environment. This treatment plan will include an emphasis on parent training and inclusion in the therapy process to facilitate generalization to their natural environment.
Melissa Druskis
Owner/ Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Melissa has over 10 years of clinical experience working with children and adolescents with mild to severe behavioral issues, speech and language delays and disorders, and picky eating, first as a speech-language pathologist assistant, and currently as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has worked with a wide range of ages and populations including typically developing children, individuals with autism, down syndrome, and other disorders. While she has a background in speech therapy, her approach to treating communication and feeding deficits is based on the science of behaviorism and verbal behavior.
In addition to her clinical work, she has written several books on supervising BCBA/BCaBA supervisees, provides resources and supervision to behavior analysts as the owner of ABC Behavior Training, and has spent time as a co-instructor for Florida Institute of Technology's online master's degree program. Melissa has also conducted research in the area of neural plasticity and working memory through her graduate degree in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience.
Education
2014-2015
Florida Institute of Technology
Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
Education in the science of applied behavior analysis with an independent supervision experience focused on the pediatric population with communication deficits, severe challenging behavior, and feeding concerns.
2012-2014
University of Texas at Dallas
M.S. Applied Cognition & Neuroscience
Dual specialization in Cognition and Human-Computer Interactions. Conducted research at the Center for Vital Longevity in the area of neural plasticity and working memory.
2008-2010
University of Texas at Dallas
B.S. Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology
Focus on communication delays and disorders and childhood development with practicum hours earned in UTD Callier's Preschool Language Development Program.