This comparison draws in part from “Coalition, Competition, and the Coveted Seat at the Table: People of Color Organizations Navigating Traditionally White Only Spaces in Solidarity” by Adrienne Bradley, M.ED., 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 coalition, competition, and the coveted seat at the table: people of color organizations navigating traditionally white only spaces in solidarity, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Resource Distribution | Coalition: Shared resources and platforms amplify collective impact across organizations | Competition: Limited resources create zero-sum dynamics where one group's gain is another's loss |
| Representation Model | Coalition: Multiple positions of influence ensuring diverse perspectives are represented | Competition: Token seats that force diverse groups to compete for singular representation |
| Impact on Practitioners | Coalition: Reduces isolation and burnout through mutual support networks | Competition: Increases stress and fragmentation among practitioners of color |
| Advocacy Effectiveness | Coalition: Unified voice produces stronger advocacy for systemic change | Competition: Fragmented advocacy allows existing power structures to maintain status quo |
| Sustainability | Coalition: Self-reinforcing as collaboration builds trust and shared infrastructure | Competition: Self-defeating as rivalry depletes energy and erodes trust over time |
| Client Impact | Coalition: Broader cultural knowledge base improving services across diverse populations | Competition: Cultural expertise siloed within competing organizations, limiting field-wide benefit |
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 coalition, competition, and the coveted seat at the table: people of color organizations navigating traditionally white only spaces in solidarity 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.
Coalition, Competition, and the Coveted Seat at the Table: People of Color Organizations Navigating Traditionally White Only Spaces in Solidarity — Adrienne Bradley · 1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $10
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.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
189 research articles with practitioner takeaways
183 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $10 · 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.