Journal article
Respecting Behavioral Diversity and Prioritizing Inclusion: Surveying Behavior Analysts' Intervention Strategies
Behavior and social issues, Vol.34(1), pp.87-109
06/2025
Web of Science ID: WOS:001384973900001
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Abstract
Inclusion can be defined as valuing each individual's uniqueness and talent, providing equal access to opportunities, and supporting people to meet their potential. Recently, applied behavior analysis (ABA) has been criticized for targeting client behaviors that differ from the majority (e.g., stereotypy). We conducted a survey with 170 behavior analysts to evaluate the degree to which they focus on changing client behavior relative to changing the behavior of others for a behavior of concern that was harmful, disruptive but not harmful, or merely different. Respondents reported that they were more likely to focus on changing client behavior for a harmful behavior than they were for a behavior that was different, although the differences were marginal. The most common response across all questions was to focus equally on both the client's and others' behavior. The implications of inclusionary practices related to interventions in ABA services are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Respecting Behavioral Diversity and Prioritizing Inclusion
- Publication Details
- Behavior and social issues, Vol.34(1), pp.87-109
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 23
- Copyright
- © 2024, Association for Behavior Analysis International
- Identifiers
- WOS:001384973900001; 99381464121706600
- Academic Unit
- Center for Behavior Analysis; Usha Kundu, MD College of Health; Health Sciences and Administration
- Language
- English