Applied behavior analysis occupies a unique position in the neurodiversity conversation. The field delivers services primarily to neurodivergent individuals, employs a growing number of neurodivergent practitioners, and operates within a framework that has historically emphasized behavior change toward neurotypical norms.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Women in Behavior Analysis
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Join Free →The BACB Ethics Code provides guidelines when working with diverse populations and colleagues. These include guidelines for Cultural Responsiveness & Diversity (Code 1.07; behavior analysts need to gain "knowledge and skills related to cultural responsiveness and diversity" while assessing their own biases), Nondiscrimination (Code 1.08; behavior analysts "behave towards others in an equitable and inclusive manner"), and Incorporating and Addressing Diversity (Code 4.07; "behavior analysts actively incorporate and address topics related to diversity" in supervision and training). Neurodiversity has received particular attention in recent years as it relates to clinical practice, and this has led to more inclusive and compassionate treatment decisions for our clients and their families. Similar considerations can be applied to promote an inclusive and accessible organization for neurodivergent employees. In this panel, we discuss the ethical and practical imperatives of fostering a neuro-affirming workplace within behavior analytic settings. Our panelists represent a variety of neurodivergent identities and positions within an organization, ranging from RBT to clinical director. Panelists will discuss systemic efforts made within their organization through the creation of a Neurodiversity Task Force. Panelists will also discuss successes and barriers encountered through this initiative. This panel will also provide opportunities for the audience to engage with panelists to drive meaningful conversations surrounding neurodiversity within the workplace.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | Ethics |
| COA | 1 | — |
Summer Bottini, PhD, BCBA-D, received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Binghamton University and completed post-doctoral residencies at the Marcus Autism Center and May Institute. Dr. Bottini is an Assistant Professor in the Emory University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics and a Psychologist in the Severe Behavior Program at Marcus Autism Center. She has over a decade of experience providing clinical services to children with developmental disabilities and she specializes in the assessment and treatment of externalizing behavior. Her research is focused on the effective supervision of clinicians to provide optimal care for autistic and neurodivergent individuals, with a particular interest in addressing staff burnout. Within the realm of burnout, Dr. Bottini’s work focuses on how burnout may be re-conceptualized within a behavior analytic framework focused on workplace stimuli and provider behavior. She has also developed a measure of identifying workplace variables that evoke provider burnout-related behavior, which will inform data-driven modular interventions for preventing and addressing burnout within an organization.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
225 research articles with practitioner takeaways
224 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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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.