By Matt Harrington, BCBA · Behaviorist Book Club · Clinical decision guide

Organization-Level vs. Field-Level Approaches to DEI in Behavior Analysis

In This Guide

Side-by-Side Comparison
Clinical Decision Framework
Key Takeaways

One of the most consequential decisions a behavior analyst makes is not just what intervention to use, but how to approach the clinical question in the first place. For behavior analysis and diversity: expanding our workforce, the difference between an evidence-based, individualized approach and a traditional, protocol-driven one can significantly impact outcomes.

This guide lays out the key factors side by side to support your clinical decision-making.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Evidence-Based Approach	Traditional Approach
Scope of Impact	Organization-Level: Affects the specific organization's workforce composition, culture, and client services	Field-Level: Affects the profession's overall demographics, training pipeline, and professional standards
Speed of Change	Organization-Level: Can produce visible changes in months through targeted recruitment and culture initiatives	Field-Level: Systemic changes in training and pipeline take years to affect workforce demographics
Control and Accountability	Organization-Level: Leadership has direct control over hiring, policies, culture, and can be held accountable for results	Field-Level: Change requires coordination across many independent stakeholders with diffuse accountability
Pipeline Development	Organization-Level: Limited to recruiting from the existing talent pool and supporting internal advancement	Field-Level: Can expand the talent pool by increasing awareness of behavior analysis careers in diverse communities and creating accessible training pathways
Culture Change	Organization-Level: Can create inclusive cultures within specific workplaces through deliberate practices and policies	Field-Level: Can shift professional norms and expectations around diversity through ethics codes, accreditation standards, and continuing education requirements
Sustainability	Organization-Level: Dependent on continued leadership commitment and may regress with leadership changes	Field-Level: Structural changes such as accreditation requirements and ethics code provisions are more durable over time

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Clinical Decision Framework

Use this framework when approaching behavior analysis and diversity: expanding our workforce in your practice:

Step 1: Is intervention warranted?

Does the data support a need for intervention? Is there a meaningful impact on the individual's quality of life, safety, or access to reinforcement?

YES → Proceed to assessment NO → Document reasoning, monitor

Step 2: Have you conducted an individualized assessment?

A functional assessment should guide intervention selection. Avoid defaulting to standard protocols without individual analysis. Consider environmental variables, setting events, and private events.

YES → Select evidence-based approach matched to function NO → Complete assessment first

Step 3: Is the individual/caregiver involved in decision-making?

Goals should be co-developed. Assent and informed consent are ethical requirements. The individual's preferences and values matter in selecting both goals and methods.

YES → Proceed with collaborative plan NO → Engage in shared decision-making

Step 4: Verify your approach

✓ Is your intervention matched to the assessed function?
✓ Are you using the least restrictive effective approach?
✓ Is assent being monitored throughout?
✓ Do you have a data collection plan?
✓ Is there a plan for generalization and maintenance?

Key Takeaways

Individualization is non-negotiable. The best approach for one individual may not be appropriate for another, even with the same topography.
Assessment drives intervention. Function-based approaches consistently outperform topography-based ones in the literature.
Ethics are active, not passive. Ethical practice requires ongoing analysis, not just initial compliance.
Document everything. Both the decision to intervene and the decision not to intervene require documentation and justification.
Stay current. The evidence base in this area is evolving. What was standard practice five years ago may not reflect current best practices.

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Clinical Disclaimer

All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.