In the following paper, two experiments are reported based on the relation between adult approvals as conditioned reinforcers and the number of vocal verbal operants, specifically tacts, mands, wh questions, sequelics, and conversational units emitted by children diagnosed with developmental disabilities. In Experiment I, following an experimental analysis of adult approvals as reinforcers for a performance task and the presentation of three learning tasks, the intensive tact procedure was implemented for three participants. Additionally, experimental probes were conducted for the three participants in three non-instructional settings prior to the implementation of the procedure, and following mastery of each set of tacts, on the number of vocal verbal operants emitted. In Experiment II, following an experimental analysis of adult approvals as reinforcers for a performance task and the presentation of three learning tasks, the observational conditioning intervention was implemented to condition adult approvals as reinforcers. Experimental probes to test for the number of vocal verbal operants emitted were conducted in three-non instructional settings both prior to and following the completion of the observational conditioning intervention to determine the effect of the conditioning of adult approvals as reinforcers on the number of tacts, wh question's, sequelics, and conversational units emitted by each participant. The results of the first experiment showed that the implementation of the intensive tact procedure was effective in conditioning adult approvals as reinforcers for both a performance and learning task for all three participants. In addition, the number of conversational units emitted following the completion of the procedure increased for all three participants. In the second experiment, following the completion of the observational conditioning intervention, which was shown to effectively condition approvals as reinforcers, the number of vocal verbal operants, specifically conversational units, emitted across the three non-instructional settings increased for all three participants. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]