This comparison draws in part from “Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis” by Crystal Fields (BehaviorLive), and extends it with peer-reviewed research from our library of 27,900+ ABA research articles. The decision framework, BACB ethics code references, and cross-links below are synthesized by Behaviorist Book Club.
View the original presentation →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 breaking biases: an evaluation of the effects of error correction on diminishing implicit biases regarding an individual's abilities based on knowledge of a diagnosis, 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.
| Factor | Evidence-Based Approach | Traditional Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Relevance | For Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis, future-oriented adult-life planning keeps adult relevance tied to the adult-life routine, support need, and dignity issue that make the plan succeed or fail and makes the decision easier to review in adult services and community participation. | For Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis, carryover of child-focused programming without revision leaves adult relevance to informal judgment, which makes follow-through harder to defend when conditions change. |
| Community Participation | For Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis, future-oriented adult-life planning keeps community participation tied to the adult-life routine, support need, and dignity issue that make the plan succeed or fail and makes the decision easier to review in adult services and community participation. | For Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis, carryover of child-focused programming without revision leaves community participation to informal judgment, which makes follow-through harder to defend when conditions change. |
| Family Role | For Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis, future-oriented adult-life planning keeps family role tied to the adult-life routine, support need, and dignity issue that make the plan succeed or fail and makes the decision easier to review in adult services and community participation. | For Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis, carryover of child-focused programming without revision leaves family role to informal judgment, which makes follow-through harder to defend when conditions change. |
| Generalization | For Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis, future-oriented adult-life planning keeps generalization tied to the adult-life routine, support need, and dignity issue that make the plan succeed or fail and makes the decision easier to review in adult services and community participation. | For Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis, carryover of child-focused programming without revision leaves generalization to informal judgment, which makes follow-through harder to defend when conditions change. |
| Dignity And Choice | For Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis, future-oriented adult-life planning keeps dignity and choice tied to the adult-life routine, support need, and dignity issue that make the plan succeed or fail and makes the decision easier to review in adult services and community participation. | For Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis, carryover of child-focused programming without revision leaves dignity and choice to informal judgment, which makes follow-through harder to defend when conditions change. |
| Service Continuity | For Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis, future-oriented adult-life planning keeps service continuity tied to the adult-life routine, support need, and dignity issue that make the plan succeed or fail and makes the decision easier to review in adult services and community participation. | For Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis, carryover of child-focused programming without revision leaves service continuity to informal judgment, which makes follow-through harder to defend when conditions change. |
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Use this framework when approaching breaking biases: an evaluation of the effects of error correction on diminishing implicit biases regarding an individual's abilities based on knowledge of a diagnosis in your practice:
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
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
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
This course covers the clinical and ethical dimensions in detail with structured learning objectives and CEU credit.
Breaking Biases: An Evaluation of the Effects of Error Correction on Diminishing Implicit Biases Regarding an Individual's Abilities Based on Knowledge of a Diagnosis — Crystal Fields · 1 BACB General CEUs · $19.99
Take This Course →We extended this decision guide with research from our library — dig into the peer-reviewed studies behind each approach, in plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
187 research articles with practitioner takeaways
128 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB General CEUs · $19.99 · BehaviorLive
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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.