This comparison draws in part from “(ENGLISH) Supporting the needs of individuals diagnosed with autism via telehealth: Three case examples (Inglés con interpretación simultánea al español-English with simoultaneous interpretation to Spanish)” by Jennifer McComas, PhD (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 (english) supporting the needs of individuals diagnosed with autism via telehealth: three case examples (inglés con interpretación simultánea al español-english with simoultaneous interpretation to spanish), 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic Access | In-Person: Limited by clinician location; clients in rural or underserved areas may lack access to specialized expertise | Telehealth: Eliminates geographic barriers; clients can access specialized clinicians regardless of location |
| Behavioral Observation | In-Person: Direct observation of behavior in full environmental context; all sensory information available | Telehealth: Observation limited by camera angle, video quality, and audio fidelity; subtle behaviors may be missed |
| Safety Management | In-Person: Clinician can directly manage safety concerns and implement emergency procedures | Telehealth: Safety management depends on trained on-site personnel; remote clinician provides guidance but cannot physically intervene |
| Natural Environment Access | In-Person: Clinician presence may alter the natural environment and client behavior | Telehealth: Clinician observes client in natural environment with less social disruption; better ecological validity for some assessments |
| Training and Coaching | In-Person: Hands-on modeling and physical prompting available; immediate feedback during implementation | Telehealth: Training relies on verbal instruction, video modeling, and real-time coaching; physical modeling limited |
| Family Convenience | In-Person: Requires travel or hosting a clinician; may disrupt family routines | Telehealth: No travel required; sessions can be more easily scheduled around family routines |
| Technology Dependence | In-Person: Minimal technology requirements; no risk of session disruption from connectivity issues | Telehealth: Dependent on internet reliability, equipment quality, and platform stability; technology failures can disrupt clinical activities |
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 (english) supporting the needs of individuals diagnosed with autism via telehealth: three case examples (inglés con interpretación simultánea al español-english with simoultaneous interpretation to spanish) 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.
(ENGLISH) Supporting the needs of individuals diagnosed with autism via telehealth: Three case examples (Inglés con interpretación simultánea al español-English with simoultaneous interpretation to Spanish) — Jennifer McComas · 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.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $20 · 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.