Approximately 40% of BACB certificants identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), representing a significant and growing demographic within the behavior analysis workforce. Yet BIPOC professionals in the field report disproportionate experiences of inequitable supervision — differential feedback standards, limited access to diverse case opportunities, tokenization, microaggressions within supervisory relationships, and a behavioral literature that has historically centered research with limited cultural diversity.
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Join Free →The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) demographic data reports that approximately 40% of the certificates are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) individuals. The BACB has addeditems to support equitable supervision practices which will come into effect in 2025 under the 6th edition task list. One of the new task list items specifies that supervisors are required to identify and implement methods that promote equity in supervision practices. BIPOC individuals are especially at risk of being affected by inequitable supervision practices given much of the behavior analytic leadership is White and may not have previously had training on appropriate strategies that will reduce these inequities for BIPOC supervisees. The mission of BABA is to create a safe community to support, encourage and uplift Black professionals in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Since BABAs inception, our focus has been to shed light on the inequities that have marginalized our community for far too long while creating opportunities for growth, advancement, and leadership for clinicians of color. It is vital that the responsibility of cultural responsiveness is shared by the field of ABA in its entirety. Thus, the purpose of this presentation will be to discuss how current supervisor practices could contribute to inequities, identify common barriers in supervisor practices, and provide some examples of solutions which could promote equitable supervision practices.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | Supervision |
| COA | 1 | — |
Walita's journey in the field of autism began with her undergraduate degree in Psychology, where she focused her studies on Life Coaching. From there, she went on to pursue a Master's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analyst. Walita is currently pursuing a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. After completing her graduate studies, Walita worked as an Autism Specialist for several years, providing support and guidance to individuals with autism and their families. In this role, she developed and implemented individualized treatment plans, and conducted behavioral assessment, outreach, program coordination, research, supervision, parent training, and education. Walita believes in a collaborative and individualized approach to treatment, working closely with families and other professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes. Walita is passionate about increasing awareness and understanding of autism and advocating for individuals on the spectrum and their families in historically marginalized communities. Over the years, she has worked with children and adults with Autism and other disabilities in classrooms, centers, clinics, and home-based settings. Additionally, while completing her undergraduate degree, Walita engaged in several volunteer experiences that focused on suicide prevention and rape trauma. Walita volunteered as Rape Crisis Counselor and Sexually Exploited Minors (SEM) with Bay Area Women Against Rape (BAWAR). She received a Rape Crisis Counselor Certification during the five years she worked with the program. Additionally, Walita volunteered with the Contra Costa Crisis Center as a Suicide Prevention Advocate - answering crisis calls, and providing peer counseling and grief support. Throughout her studies and experiences, Walita has developed a deep understanding of the ways in which trauma can impact individuals both emotionally and physically, as such she committed to using evidence-based approaches to help people work through their trauma (acute, chronic, and complex) to help others overcome the challenges and obstacles that can come with experiencing trauma. Walita believes that with the right support, guidance, and interventions, individuals can not only heal from their past experiences but also thrive in the present and future. Walita is a member of various organizations, including Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated and Marketing Chair for Black Applied Behavior Analyst, Inc.
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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.