Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Applied Behavior Analysis

As the application of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) grows, and more people enter the field, it is inevitable that ABA practitioners will both work with and serve people from a background they do not share. Whether this looks like working with someone whose traditions are unfamiliar to us or integrating cultural considerations into a treatment plan for a child that we serve, an appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion is incredibly important to anyone in the ABA field.

There are a few barriers preventing someone from applying this lens to their treatment plan. Firstly, the statistics are either unavailable or difficult to access. Most ABA companies and organizations either do not collect demographic data or do not make this information publicly available, which can make it impossible to really know what the field looks like. Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) are not required to take any classes or receive any training on diversity in their treatment approach, so it is up to the individual practitioners or the companies they work for to provide this training.

So, with these barriers in mind, how can we shift the lens of ABA treatment to a more diverse outlook? First of all, an individual ABA practitioner can seek out trainings in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and make sure that some of their continuing education requirements are being fulfilled by diverse teachers. ABA companies can provide training on how exactly their staff can apply cultural responsiveness to their treatment plans and can stress that the inclusion of this consideration is not optional, but rather the best way to ensure that their treatment is applicable to the communities that they serve. Finally, we can work to bring more people from diverse backgrounds into the field, by specifically reaching out to communities who have been underserved and encouraging them to join us.

Behavior Frontiers is working very hard to ensure that our practitioners are prepared to include cultural responsiveness in their treatment plans and that our staff from diverse backgrounds feel supported and included in the conversation. We have created a Diversity and Inclusion Committee which is working on addressing any areas in which we can improve on our cultural responsiveness and sensitivity. The committee is creating trainings, sharing resources, and improving outreach to underserved communities, all to ensure that our staff is the best in the industry at making clients and staff feel welcome.

It is our hope that, with an improved understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion, our company and this industry can work to change the face of ABA.

Further Resources:

“Where is the Diversity in Applied Behavior Analysis?”

“Multiculturalism and Diversity Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis”

“Increasing Cultural Understanding and Diversity in Applied Behavior Analysis”

Shades of ABA Podcast

Adrienne Bradley, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Associate Clinical Director, Detroit
Tuesday, March 30, 2021