Why Public Policy Matters: A Call to Action for the Everyday Behavior Analyst

Coop et al. (2025) wrote a how-to paper for BCBAs who want to shape laws and rules.

They list first steps: learn local licensure bills, practice short client stories, and use medical-necessity language when you call or email lawmakers.

The paper is a call to action, not an experiment, so no clients were tested.

The authors found that most BCBAs skip policy work because they think it is too hard or too political.

They show that one email, one story, and one data sheet can open doors to legislators and protect ABA funding.

Kornack et al. (2017) and Papatola et al. (2016) gave the same medical-necessity talking points, but aimed them at insurance reviewers. Coop moves those same scripts into the statehouse.

Tantam et al. (1993) also told BCBAs to leave the clinic and meet pediatricians. Coop updates that message for 2025: now meet lawmakers too.

Kolu (2025) takes Coop’s general advocacy idea and fills in one concrete example—writing trauma-buffer policies—showing the field is already building on Coop’s blueprint.

If you wait for someone else to defend ABA laws, you may lose funding, licensure, or scope of practice. Coop gives you a starter kit: pick one local bill, attach one client graph, and tell one clear story. You can finish the task in the time it takes to drink your coffee.