Association for Behavior Analysis International

Effective behavior change is difficult to achieve in schools due to a multitude of variables, including high caseloads and limited time for staff training. Establishing treatment integrity and social validity are often overlooked as essential to this process. Although behavior analysts are trained to engage in a thoughtful process of assessment, intervention design and implementation, and data analysis, they often do not assess a key component: contextual fit. Contextual fit involves identifying environmental variables that will both enhance and potentially interfere with the success of an intervention. These variables include the values, needs, and skills of the change agents as well as the resources available at the school. Contextual fit, then, is the extent to which behavioral treatment matches the aforementioned variables. In this presentation, contextual fit will be defined and discussed as a way to maximize outcomes with teachers, students, and families and enhance ethical practices. Relevant research will be reviewed and ethical considerations will be discussed.

Intermediate - practice behavior analysts in school for more than 1 year.