Cultural responsiveness in applied behavior analysis: Research and practice

Abstract

The new Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts requires that certificants engage in training related to culturally responsive service delivery (BACB, 2020). There is limited work in the area of culturally responsive evidence-based practice within our field. Therefore, it is incumbent on researchers and practitioners to identify best practices for working with diverse populations. Hence, the purpose of this paper is three-fold: a) to review research within and outside the field of ABA related to culturally responsive assessment and treatment and provide practice recommendations, b) to examine the extent to which current practices in behavior assessment and treatment align with aspects of culturally responsive practices, and c) to inspire research in the areas of behavior assessment and treatment to identify best practices with regard to culturally responsive behavior analytic practices. The content of this paper is grounded in the framework described by Beaulieu and Jimenez-Gomez (2022).

Caregiver‐implemented toilet training procedures for children with autism spectrum disorder

“…These adjustments and delays in implementing the treatment package led to longer times to reach mastery of toilet training but were socially acceptable for the family. These procedural modifications are in alignment with suggestions by Jimenez‐Gomez and Beaulieu (2022) regarding collaborating with consumers for the delivery of culturally responsive behavioral services (see Schwartz & Baer, 1991 and Wolf, 1978 for related discussions on social validity). Future research could evaluate the balance of efficiency and social acceptability of toilet training procedures.…”

Pay Equity Among Behavior-Analytic Practitioners Who Serve Children

“…Thankfully since then, numerous resources have become available for behavior analysts to consult, such as how each characteristic of CRP can overlap with ABA, particularly for behavior analysts working in educational settings (Hugh-Pennie et al, 2021 ), ways that the field can move toward becoming anti-racist (Levy et al, 2021 ), a conceptualization of power and privilege (Louisiana Contextual Science Research Group, 2022 ), how the field can move away from disciplinary centrism and toward humble behaviorism (Kirby et al, 2022 ), ways that behavior analysts can engage in self-assessment of awareness, knowledge, and skills in the context of culturally responsive services (Beaulieu & Jimenez-Gomez, 2022 ), how cultural responsiveness can be used in behavior-analytic research and practice (Jimenez-Gomez & Beaulieu, 2022 ), and much more, which all can maintain the provision of ABA-based services informed by a framework of CRP. Despite the field’s continued journey toward creating culturally aligned, sustainable, and inclusive environments, particularly for historically underrepresented communities, some of the work can be ameliorated by maintaining pay equity and continuously educating oneself on best practices to support children/individuals of various racial, ethnic, economic, linguistic, and disability groups.…”

Adaptation of the research unit on behavioral interventions caregiver training program for remote group delivery: Preliminary analysis of clinical outcomes.

“…This approach provided clinicians with structure to continue delivering services during a time of uncertainty, which could help alleviate stress and burnout experienced by behavioral practitioners during the pandemic (Jimenez-Gomez et al, 2021). The modifications made to the protocol (i.e., group and individual weekly sessions) allowed clinicians to adapt to the sociocultural differences of each family by incorporating caregiver preferences during individual sessions (e.g., consider family’s customs regarding daily routines or acceptability of terminology such as “compliance”), resulting in more individualized and culturally responsive service delivery (Jimenez-Gomez & Beaulieu, 2022).…”