Association for Behavior Analysis International

Having a diverse pool of practitioners in the applied behavior analytic community can lead to positive treatment outcomes for consumers. Despite literature supporting consumer choice of practitioner, there continues to be gross underrepresentation of Black practitioners in the field of applied behavior analysis. Underrepresentation happens at all levels, from leaders of most local agencies to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, and beyond. Practitioners in the field are overwhelmingly White women. Given the BACB does not require any coursework in cultural competency, it is likely White practitioners enter the field not present to how their own biases and blind spots can impact their service provision to Black and Indigenous People of Color. Lack of awareness by White practitioners not only undermines the necessary work and development of therapeutic alliance needed to facilitate positive treatment outcomes but may also serve to create aversive conditions that turn BIPOC off to the science of applied behavior analysis altogether. This webinar will provide practitioners practical guidance to begin addressing their own biases around variables such as race, culture and religion that may manifest in their work with BIPOC. Practitioners can expect to gain skills, awareness, and sensitivity that enable them to more effectively serve consumers with cultural competence and humility, irrespective of their current level of cultural awareness.