This comparison draws in part from “Why it is more important than ever to create a DEI council at your organization” by Jennifer Zarcone, 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 why it is more important than ever to create a dei council at your organization, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Motivation | Mission-Based: DEI work is driven by the organization's core purpose of providing excellent, equitable services to the diverse community it serves | Compliance-Driven: DEI work is driven primarily by legal requirements, funder mandates, or desire to avoid negative publicity |
| Resilience to Political Pressure | Mission-Based: Anchored in organizational values and ethical obligations that do not change with political climate, providing stability during backlash periods | Compliance-Driven: Vulnerable to scaling back when external requirements are weakened or political environment becomes hostile |
| Scope of Work | Mission-Based: Addresses systemic policies, clinical practices, organizational culture, workforce development, community engagement, and client experience holistically | Compliance-Driven: Focuses narrowly on meeting specific requirements such as demographic reporting, mandatory training, and anti-discrimination policies |
| Staff Engagement | Mission-Based: Engages staff as genuine partners in meaningful work that improves services and workplace culture | Compliance-Driven: Positions DEI activities as mandatory requirements that staff must complete, often generating resentment |
| Outcome Measurement | Mission-Based: Measures equity in service outcomes, client satisfaction, workforce belonging, and community impact | Compliance-Driven: Measures completion rates for training, demographic statistics, and compliance with specific requirements |
| Client and Community Impact | Mission-Based: Produces meaningful improvements in cultural responsiveness, service equity, and community trust | Compliance-Driven: May produce minimal change in actual client experience while satisfying external reporting requirements |
| Sustainability | Mission-Based: Embeds DEI considerations into ongoing organizational processes, creating lasting cultural change | Compliance-Driven: Depends on continued external requirements for motivation, with risk of abandonment when pressure relaxes |
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 why it is more important than ever to create a dei council at your organization 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.
Why it is more important than ever to create a DEI council at your organization — Jennifer Zarcone · 1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $30
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.
236 research articles with practitioner takeaways
225 research articles with practitioner takeaways
224 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $30 · 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.