This comparison draws in part from “Coming Together: Effective Collaboration Among Multidisciplinary Teams” by Anne Denning, MA BCBA LBA (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 coming together: effective collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Goal Consistency | Parallel Services: Each discipline develops and tracks its own goals; behavioral and educational goals may conflict or duplicate effort | Integrated Collaboration: Goals developed jointly across disciplines; all team members working toward the same client priorities |
| Behavioral Consistency | Parallel Services: Behavioral strategies applied only during designated ABA time; inconsistent implementation across the client's full day | Integrated Collaboration: Behavioral strategies embedded across all service providers' interactions; increased learning opportunity density |
| Family Experience | Parallel Services: Families receive conflicting recommendations from different providers; experience of fragmented services increases stress | Integrated Collaboration: Families receive unified guidance and experience coordinated services; higher satisfaction and implementation fidelity |
| Clinical Efficiency | Parallel Services: Redundant assessments, conflicting data systems, duplicated effort across disciplines | Integrated Collaboration: Shared assessment data, coordinated progress monitoring, reduced administrative duplication |
| BCBA Role Clarity | Parallel Services: BCBA role may be limited to behavior-designated sessions; limited influence on the client's broader environment | Integrated Collaboration: BCBA contributes behavioral expertise to shared goals and implementation across the full team; broader clinical influence |
| Implementation Requirements | Parallel Services: Low coordination overhead; each discipline manages its own schedule and documentation independently | Integrated Collaboration: Requires structured team meeting time, shared communication systems, and deliberate investment in interprofessional relationship quality |
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 coming together: effective collaboration among multidisciplinary teams 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.
Coming Together: Effective Collaboration Among Multidisciplinary Teams — Anne Denning · 1.5 BACB Supervision CEUs · $25
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
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
252 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1.5 BACB Supervision CEUs · $25 · 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.