This comparison draws in part from “I Downsized My ABA Company: Tips To Saving Your Company Ethically” by Saundra Bishop, BCBA, CCTP (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 i downsized my aba company: tips to saving your company ethically, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Client Impact | Abrupt Closure: Sudden loss of all services with no transition planning; families scramble to find new providers | Strategic Downsizing: Planned transitions with warm handoffs, documentation, and referrals to identified providers |
| Staff Impact | Abrupt Closure: All staff lose employment simultaneously with little or no notice | Strategic Downsizing: Phased reductions with advance notice, references, and support for re-employment |
| Clinical Documentation | Abrupt Closure: Records may be incomplete, inaccessible, or lost; receiving providers lack critical information | Strategic Downsizing: Comprehensive transition documentation prepared and shared with receiving providers |
| Organizational Survival | Abrupt Closure: Complete cessation of operations; no ability to serve any clients going forward | Strategic Downsizing: Organization continues at reduced capacity with improved resource-to-client ratios |
| Community Trust | Abrupt Closure: Damages trust in ABA services; families may become skeptical of the field broadly | Strategic Downsizing: Maintains professional reputation through transparent, ethical management of a difficult situation |
| Financial Outcome | Abrupt Closure: Potential unpaid debts, legal liabilities, and loss of all business value | Strategic Downsizing: Controlled cost reduction that can restore financial stability and preserve business value |
| Ethical Compliance | Abrupt Closure: High risk of violating multiple Ethics Code standards related to client transitions and continuity | Strategic Downsizing: Allows for planned compliance with transition, documentation, and communication obligations |
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 i downsized my aba company: tips to saving your company ethically 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.
I Downsized My ABA Company: Tips To Saving Your Company Ethically — Saundra Bishop · 1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $19.99
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.
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
256 research articles with practitioner takeaways
252 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $19.99 · 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.