This comparison draws in part from “How to Talk Behavior to Non-Behavior Analysts” by Kendall Ryndak Samuel, 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 →Behavior analysts face a daily choice between two communication approaches: using the precise technical vocabulary of the science or translating concepts into everyday language that non-behavioral audiences can understand. Neither approach is universally correct; the appropriate choice depends on the audience, the context, and the purpose of the communication. Technical jargon allows for efficient and precise communication among trained behavior analysts, while plain language ensures that the people who implement interventions, make treatment decisions, and evaluate service effectiveness can understand what is being communicated. The challenge is developing fluency in both registers and the judgment to know which to deploy in each situation. This comparison examines the strengths and limitations of each approach across multiple dimensions relevant to clinical practice.
| Factor | Evidence-Based Approach | Traditional Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Precision of Communication | Technical jargon provides exact definitions shared among trained professionals, minimizing ambiguity in professional discourse | Plain language sacrifices some technical precision but gains comprehensibility, ensuring the listener actually receives the intended message |
| Treatment Integrity | Precise terminology in written protocols ensures fidelity among trained implementers who share the same vocabulary | Clear, action-oriented language in protocols increases fidelity among untrained implementers such as caregivers and teachers who must carry out procedures |
| Stakeholder Engagement | Technical language may alienate caregivers, educators, and other stakeholders, reducing their active participation in the treatment process | Accessible language invites stakeholder participation, builds rapport, and increases the likelihood of collaborative treatment implementation |
| Professional Credibility | Technical vocabulary signals expertise to other professionals and may enhance perceived credibility within clinical and academic settings | Clear communication signals competence and confidence to lay audiences; the ability to explain complex ideas simply is itself a marker of deep understanding |
| Interdisciplinary Collaboration | Behavior-analytic jargon is unfamiliar to most allied professionals, creating barriers to collaboration in team settings | Plain language and shared terminology facilitate productive interdisciplinary collaboration and mutual understanding across professions |
| Public Perception of ABA | Clinical terminology can make ABA sound mechanistic, cold, or dehumanizing to the general public, reinforcing negative stereotypes | Everyday language that emphasizes teaching, learning, and quality of life helps the public understand ABA as a person-centered, skill-building approach |
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 how to talk behavior to non-behavior analysts 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.
How to Talk Behavior to Non-Behavior Analysts — Kendall Ryndak Samuel · 1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $0
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
256 research articles with practitioner takeaways
252 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $0 · BehaviorLive
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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.