The evidence-based teaching approach exemplified by targeting motivation and initiation of social interactions in students with autism is:

The chosen response highlights a specific evidence-based teaching approach that focuses on enhancing motivation and social interaction initiation among students with autism. Verbal Behavior Therapy concentrates on using language as a behavior to be reinforced, and it incorporates teaching functional communication skills that are crucial for social interactions.

In this context, the emphasis on motivation aligns closely with Verbal Behavior Therapy's goal of teaching students to communicate effectively in social situations. By encouraging communication through motivation, this approach creates opportunities for students to successfully engage with their peers, thus fostering social skills.

While Behavioral Therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis are also effective methods used to teach various skills, they do not specifically target the nuances of social interaction initiation in the same way as Verbal Behavior Therapy does. Behavioral Therapy is often broader in scope, focusing on changing specific behaviors, and Applied Behavior Analysis encompasses a range of techniques that may not specifically focus on verbal communication and socialization as central themes. Social Skills Training typically emphasizes direct instruction in social contexts but may not always include the intense focus on verbal behavior that Verbal Behavior Therapy employs.

Therefore, the focus on enhancing verbal communication as a tool for social interaction makes Verbal Behavior Therapy the most appropriate choice in this scenario.