This comparison draws in part from “Finding Our Way Together: Ethical Problem Solving in Autism Care” by Amanda Karsten, PhD, 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 finding our way together: ethical problem solving in autism care, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of decision | Intuitive: Fast; relies on pattern recognition from past experience | Structured: Slower initially; becomes faster with practice as the process becomes habitual |
| Bias vulnerability | Intuitive: Susceptible to confirmation bias, emotional reactivity, and recency effects | Structured: Systematic evaluation reduces bias by requiring explicit consideration of multiple perspectives |
| Consistency across decisions | Intuitive: Variable; similar situations may produce different decisions depending on mood, context, or recent events | Structured: More consistent; the same process applied to similar facts tends to produce similar conclusions |
| Documentation quality | Intuitive: Difficult to document reasoning that was not made explicit during the decision process | Structured: Natural documentation of principles weighed, alternatives considered, and rationale for selection |
| Trainability | Intuitive: Difficult to teach; relies on accumulated experience that varies among practitioners | Structured: Can be taught through scenario practice, modeled in supervision, and assessed through competency evaluation |
| Stakeholder inclusion | Intuitive: May overlook less visible stakeholders or less obvious impacts of decisions | Structured: Systematic stakeholder identification ensures all affected parties are considered |
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 finding our way together: ethical problem solving in autism care 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.
Finding Our Way Together: Ethical Problem Solving in Autism Care — Amanda Karsten · 1 BACB Ethics 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 BACB Ethics 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.