Applied Behavior Analysis in Mexico: Efforts and Challenges in Public Policy, Advocacy, and Autism Intervention

The authors mapped how Mexico is trying to add ABA to public schools and health clinics. They read laws, talked to officials, and listed what still blocks kids with autism from getting services.

This is a story-style review, not an experiment. It gives a country-wide picture instead of single-case data.

New disability-rights laws open the door, but no rules yet say "ABA must be covered." Small university clinics exist, yet most towns still have no trained staff.

The paper ends with a clear next step: behavior analysts must sit at the policy table and write the missing details into healthcare and education plans.

Patton et al. (2020) extends this picture. Their survey showed Mexican-heritage families use only a quarter of daily moments for teaching. The policy paper answers back: embed ABA in public systems so families are not left to do it alone.

Coop et al. (2025) also extends the call. While de los Santos et al. (2025) shows Mexico’s national chance, Coop gives every BCBA a starter kit—storytelling, medical-necessity language, and local lobby tips.

Olsson et al. (2001) is the predecessor. That early review told governments ABA works; the 2025 paper shows one country finally moving from words to action plans.

If you work with Mexican-heritage kids, or if you simply want ABA covered by public funds, this paper is your roadmap. It names the gaps—no licensure, no billing codes, no university pipeline—and hands you the talking points to fix them. Use them in your next city-council or school-board meeting.