MAY 18, 2026·CITYBIZNEWS
Verbal Beginnings Expands Maryland Footprint With New Lanham Autism Center - citybizABA RANK / CLINICS / LOADING…
Verbal Beginnings is a family-focused network providing comprehensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder across the Mid-Atlantic region. Co-founded in 2011 by Nick Chappell and Diana Wolf, the organization has grown to operate multiple centers in Columbia, Millersville, Rockville, Frederick, and Annapolis in Maryland, as well as Alexandria and Chantilly in Virginia, and Lanham in Maryland. The organization serves children ages 18 months to 18 years with individualized ABA treatment programs designed to increase communication, feeding, social skills, and adaptive living skills. In addition to center-based ABA therapy, Verbal Beginnings offers early intervention programs, feeding therapy through its Healthy Beginnings program, social skills development, diagnostics, and after-school and summer programs. Services are delivered by Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Registered Behavior Technicians who collaborate closely with families as an integral part of treatment. Verbal Beginnings is accredited by the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE) and recognized by the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP), reflecting its commitment to quality care and professional standards. The organization emphasizes family education and caregiver collaboration, offering parent workshops and training to support children's progress in home and community settings. With approximately 500-1,000 employees across its service area, Verbal Beginnings has established itself as a significant provider of autism services in the region since its first center opened in Columbia, MD in 2016.
Verbal Beginnings delivers individualized ABA therapy in a center and in the home, built around each child’s goals.
Programs are designed and supervised by board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs).
Caregivers are part of the clinical team — parent coaching is included in the standard service plan.
Programs are built and supervised by a board-certified analyst. Caregiver coaching is part of the standard plan.
Senior BCBAs hold a clinical-leadership role at every location. Each name links to a BACB credential record where one is on file.
Network status comes from the clinic and is re-attested each quarter. Verify coverage directly before scheduling intake.
No published case studies yet. Claimed clinics can publish de-identified outcomes here.
Reviewers are verified as caregivers of an active or recent client before publication. Reviews cannot be edited or removed by the clinic.
Aggregate rating and the most recent public reviews from Google Maps. These are not part of the verified caregiver review program; they have not been authenticated by Verbal Beginnings or this directory.
Your dissemination of the science is amazing. Great selection of topics and presenters. Thank you for all that you do and continuing to support BCBAs! I look forward to these trainings every month!
I completed their intake form twice. In the beginning they would reach out until the form was completed but after that there was no response. I called several times for summer camps and regular classes but despite several calls, no one called me back. They kept saying so and so was unavailable and will call back as soon as they are able to but nothing. I understand that you may not have availability that is fine but communication is the least that you can do. A little empathy and compassion goes a long way-- especially for families for kids with autism.
wasted one year of my kid’s life . Non consistently sending RBT, very unprofessional
I love your CEU’s, however, I am not a BCBA. I am a Licensed Behavioral Specialist , and Behavioral Consultant in Applied Behavioral Analysis in my state. We can use your trainings for our required 16 hours of continuing education needed every year to maintain our license. It would be great if you had a CEU offering for attendance for those who aren’t BCBA’s. I appreciate your free training, because I am near retirement, and would not be able to afford trainings otherwise. Thanks so much!
This was the worst experience I have ever had with an organization dedicated to working with children on the spectrum. My nightmare with this organization began in January of this year. My 17 year old daughter on the Spectrum was initially referred by her social worker to use Verbal Beginning after being in patient at a mental health hospital for 4 months this year. It was a very delicate and sensitive time for my daughter. As she ages it has become difficult to manage social situations and deal with mental health challenges. With that being said she was excited to start the summer program and possibly make some friends. We went through the grueling and arduous paperwork process that was absolutely ridiculous but I did it because I know she needed these supports. When summer arrived I was told it was an insurance issue as to why she couldn't start. This was a lie because when I called my insurance company they stated everything was approved already. I was then contacted back 3 weeks into the summer to be told that she would need to go to the Columbia location and not the Silver Springs location. Before I even started this process I specifically requested the Silver Springs location because it was on my way to work. While the Columbia location was closer to home the Silver Springs location was on the way to work for me. So we never attended the summer session. Then I was contacted in September to start my daughter in the Fall Social group sessions. I still trusted that this would happen but that never happened as well. Each time my daughter continued to fall deeper and deeper into depression. I wasted gas, miles on my car, energy and worse of all I disappointed my daughter each time I told her "we are going to get started really soon". Then, the icing on the cake is they are now trying to charge me $685 for assessments. When I inquired about this I was told "the fees were in the handbook" that I signed for. I ALSO signed for my daughter to receive services as well but that didn't happen either. I have asked this organization to remove me from further correspondences due to the anxiety, stress and turmoil it causes me just to see their name. I would not recommend this organization to anyone ever!
Clinic verification cross-references BACB credentials, NPI, accreditation, payer contracts, insurance, and ethics-complaint history. Every check is dated and re-runnable.
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Answered from the clinic's disclosed profile data on ABA Rank. Facts update whenever the clinic edits its profile or a verified review changes the rating.
Verbal Beginnings offers clinic-based and in-home services.
Verbal Beginnings provides ABA therapy for early intervention (0-3) and school-age (6-12).
Verbal Beginnings is headquartered in Columbia, MD.
Yes — Verbal Beginnings includes parent training as part of their ABA services.
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