VB MAPP Level 1- free download

Understanding Autism and the Importance of VB MAPP

(Verbal Behaviour Milestones and Placement Program (VB MAPP Level 1))

Hello, everyone!

As a parent, caregiver, or teacher, understanding how to help children with autism can feel overwhelming at times.

One tool that has really helped me understand my autistic child’s development is the Verbal Behavior Milestones and Placement Program (VB MAPP).

In this post, I’m going to talk about the VB MAPP Level 1, how it works, and why it’s so important for children with autism.

What Is Autism?

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurological condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts, and experiences the world.

Some children with autism may find it difficult to express their feelings or understand social cues, while others might struggle with changes in routine, sensory sensitivities, or delayed speech development. My autistic child struggles with all of these!

But it is important to understand that all autistic children are unique.

I have been documenting everything to do with my autistic child from before they even got their autism diagnosis. So, if you need help in understanding whether your child has signs of autism I have compiled all the signs of autism that my child showed.

You can read about those here:

• Signs of autism in children from 0-18 Months old
• Signs of autism in children from 18-30 Months
• and Signs of autism in children from 30-48 Months

Autism is usually diagnosed in early childhood, and it’s important to provide the right tools and resources to help these children learn and grow.

That’s where the VB MAPP comes in.

What Is the VB MAPP?

The VB MAPP (Verbal Behavior Milestones and Placement Program) is an assessment tool used to track the developmental milestones that a child is expected to reach by certain ages.

The VB MAPP focuses on communication, social skills, and learning behaviors. I realized that this makes it absolutely perfect in helping autistic children develop the skills they need.

It is divided into three levels, each of which targets specific age ranges and milestones.

• VB MAPP Level 1 is aimed at children from birth to 18 months old.
• VB MAPP Level 2 covers 18 to 30 months.
• VB MAPP Level 3 targets children aged 30 to 48 months.

The great thing about the VB MAPP is that it’s not just for children with autism.

It can also be used for children with ADHD, ADD, and other developmental disorders.

By using the VB MAPP, professionals can determine whether a child is behind or ahead in their development compared to other children of the same age.

This can be a great help for parents who want to better understand their child’s strengths and areas of growth.

Honestly, even a parent can do this on their own if they cannot get enough resources from anywhere else.

Why Is the VB MAPP Important?

Using the VB MAPP allows parents and professionals to see where their child is developmentally and figure out which skills need to be worked on.

This is especially important for autistic children because they might develop certain skills later than their peers. This was the case with my autistic child and the VB MAPP helped guide me on what to focus on.

For example, the VB MAPP Level 1 covers key milestones for babies and toddlers, such as learning to respond to their name, making eye contact, or babbling.

If your autistic child hasn’t reached some of these milestones, the VB MAPP helps you see what to work on.

And the best part? These milestones can be taught.

Children with autism can learn to do the same things as their peers if given the right guidance and support.

This means that they will be able to do everything the same as others in their class or group and be able to participate in the same activities as those other children.

I recommend most parents teach their children all the different points on the VB MAPP.

I personally believe that once the child has learnt the things tested on the VB MAPP, they can learn far more, more quickly.

Also when my autistic child gradually started to learn the points on the VB MAPP, and got on similar levels like their peers, it helped make them more confident. And much more comfortable in public places and in social interactions.

Breaking Down VB MAPP Level 1

Let’s look at VB MAPP Level 1, which focuses on children from birth to 18 months.

Here are some of the key milestones covered:

• Responding to their name
• Making eye contact
• Following simple instructions
• Imitating actions or sounds
• Learning basic words like “mama” or “dada”

For children with autism, these milestones can sometimes take longer to achieve. But with the right guidance and consistent practice, they can be learned.

I used activities like playing simple games, singing songs, and using pictures to help my child develop these early skills.

One of the things that worked for us was using positive reinforcement.

Every time my child successfully completed a milestone or even made progress, I would give them praise, a small reward, or extra playtime with a favorite toy.

This helped build their confidence and made learning fun.

It also gave my autistic child a lot of motivation to also want to learn.

I will also be uploading the Level 2 mapp one for 18-30 months old children. (1 and a half years old to 2 and a half years old)

And then the last one which is the Level 3 mapp 30-48 Months old children. (2 and a half years old to 4 years old)

The VB MAPP and Mainstream Schools

It is actually very common for children with Autism to be behind in certain things, compared to their peers. A good book to read to understand this is ‘THE PROTOCOL FOR AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS’

Another important reason to use the VB MAPP is that it can help prepare your child for mainstream school.

Many schools may recommend special education programs for children with autism, especially if they are behind on certain developmental milestones. This was definitely the case with my autistic child.

We were recommended to take them to a special needs school. The specialist said that my autistic child would never be able to function in a mainstream school.

However, by using the VB MAPP and working on the milestones that my child was behind at, at home or with a therapist, you can help your child catch up.

For example, some children with high-functioning autism might be recommended for special needs schools, but if they are able to achieve most of the milestones in the VB MAPP, there’s no reason why they can’t attend a mainstream school.

This was my experience with my own child, and I’m so glad we used the VB MAPP as a guide.

Tick off everything your child already knows and teach them what they do not know! This is the best strategy!