This comparison draws in part from “Putting cheeseburgers back on the menu: Recommendations for incorporating ABA supervision best practices into everyday work” by Amber Valentino, Psy.D., BCBA-D (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 putting cheeseburgers back on the menu: recommendations for incorporating aba supervision best practices into everyday work, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Session structure | Reactive: No preset agenda; session content driven by whatever problems arose that week | Proactive: Session opens with a specific competency objective identified in advance based on supervisee progress data |
| Feedback timing | Reactive: Feedback given after error patterns accumulate or a critical incident occurs | Proactive: Feedback delivered immediately following observation, tied to the specific competency targeted in that session |
| Competency tracking | Reactive: Hours logged; competency assumed to follow from attendance | Proactive: Behavioral rubrics used to document observable skill demonstration separately from hours |
| Expectation communication | Reactive: Performance standards clarified when supervisee fails to meet them | Proactive: Competency criteria shared with supervisees before skill development begins so they know the target |
| Supervisee self-monitoring | Reactive: Supervisee receives external evaluation; self-assessment not formally incorporated | Proactive: Supervisee rates own performance using the same rubric as supervisor; discrepancies discussed to build calibrated self-awareness |
| Long-term maintenance | Reactive: Improvements tied to presence of supervisor; skill decay common once supervision ends | Proactive: Self-monitoring and internalized standards support skill maintenance beyond the supervisory relationship |
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ on-demand CEUs including ethics, supervision, and clinical topics like this one. Plus a new live CEU every Wednesday.
Use this framework when approaching putting cheeseburgers back on the menu: recommendations for incorporating aba supervision best practices into everyday work 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.
Putting cheeseburgers back on the menu: Recommendations for incorporating ABA supervision best practices into everyday work — Amber Valentino · 1 BACB Supervision CEUs · $15
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.
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
252 research articles with practitioner takeaways
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Supervision CEUs · $15 · BehaviorLive
Research-backed educational guide
Research-backed answers for behavior analysts
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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.