About
Verbal Beginnings is an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provider for children with autism. Founded in 2011 by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) Nick Chappell and Diana Wolf, it is a BCBA-owned and operated company that has grown from a small, in‑home service provider into a Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE) accredited organization with multiple centers across Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.. The company's mission is built on two simple but profound goals: “Changing lives. One child at a time. One professional at a time.”
Overview and Core Mission
Headquartered at 7090 Samuel Morse Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, Maryland, the company operates its main centers in Columbia, Millersville, Rockville, Frederick, and Annapolis. True to its name, Verbal Beginnings focuses on helping children build the foundational communication and social skills they need for a better future. In addition to its cornerstone ABA therapy, the organization offers a full suite of integrated services including Speech and Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, feeding therapy (Healthy Beginnings), social skills groups (Social Beginnings), and formal diagnostic evaluations for autism.
Clinical Approach and Expansion
The company is known for its intensive, team‑based clinical model. Its programs prioritize a strict 1:1 child‑to‑therapist ratio, ensuring that every child receives highly individualized attention. Clinical teams are led by BCBAs who supervise Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), but what sets Verbal Beginnings apart is its equal commitment to staff development. The organization is currently expanding its footprint with a new comprehensive early‑intervention center in Annapolis designed to serve over 50 families, ensuring more children can access the life‑changing services they need.