This comparison draws in part from “Fostering Acceptance and Inclusion in Applied Behavior Analysis: Centering Intersectionality and Embracing Diversity” by Shelby Dorsey, PhD, BCBA (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 →Approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion in ABA can be directed at either the individual practitioner level or the organizational system level. Individual-level approaches focus on building each practitioner's cultural knowledge, self-awareness, and clinical skills for serving diverse populations. Organizational-level approaches address the systemic structures, policies, and cultures that either support or undermine inclusion. Both levels are necessary, but their impacts and limitations differ. Understanding these differences helps behavior analysts and organizational leaders allocate their DEI efforts effectively and avoid the common pitfall of relying solely on individual training while leaving systemic barriers intact.
| Factor | Evidence-Based Approach | Traditional Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Focus of Change | Individual: Practitioner knowledge, attitudes, and clinical skills related to cultural responsiveness | Organizational: Policies, hiring practices, training curricula, promotion pathways, and workplace culture |
| Typical Interventions | Individual: Continuing education, self-reflection exercises, implicit bias training, supervision discussions | Organizational: Policy revision, diversity recruitment initiatives, mentorship programs, compensation equity audits, feedback systems |
| Scalability | Individual: Must be repeated with each practitioner, does not automatically transfer across the organization | Organizational: Systemic changes affect all individuals within the system and persist as organizational infrastructure |
| Impact on Client Outcomes | Individual: Improves the cultural responsiveness of services provided by the trained practitioner | Organizational: Improves access, service quality, and outcomes across the entire organization and client population |
| Sustainability | Individual: Dependent on each practitioner's continued motivation and effort, vulnerable to drift over time | Organizational: Built into infrastructure, maintained by policies and accountability structures |
| Addressing Systemic Barriers | Individual: Limited capacity to address structural inequities that exist at the organizational or societal level | Organizational: Directly targets the structural factors that produce and maintain inequity |
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 fostering acceptance and inclusion in applied behavior analysis: centering intersectionality and embracing diversity 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.
Fostering Acceptance and Inclusion in Applied Behavior Analysis: Centering Intersectionality and Embracing Diversity — Shelby Dorsey · 1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $20
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 · $20 · BehaviorLive
Research-backed educational guide
Research-backed answers for behavior analysts
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.