Recent Events within Applied Behavior Analysis Facebook Group

Call for Action

Verona, New Jersey, June 1, 2020 – Within the past few days the world has experienced outrage, protests and confusion following the death of another African American man while in police custody. The video depicting this incident has sparked a fundamental shift within the fabric of America and the field of Applied Behavior Analysis has been impacted by these resentful events. 

On May 30, 2020 a post was created within a Facebook group asking what the field could do to address the unique environmental contingencies affecting learners of color. Unfortunately, this post was removed by an administrator of the group indicating the post was political in nature. Additionally, this administrator stated:

“The post on ABA programming specific to “black people” has been removed as inflammatory. The last time I checked, ABA is a science used to change socially important behavior. The color of someone’s skin is not relevant and that post was intended to make a political statement. This is not the intent of this group. Discuss it somewhere else. Any additional posts attempting to resurrect this discussion will be declined. A group member has suggested the alternative group “BCBAs for Change” to continue the discussion and we hope those of you who wish to continue that conversation can go there”

The post was subsequently taken down and the administrator has since apologized for post in its entreaty. Although this administrator has been removed, the initial damage has been done. 

The field of Applied Behavior Analysis is designed to effect socially significant change and although the race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status of the individuals receiving services should not affect intervention, these factors cannot be ignored. In order to provide effective, individualized treatment for service recipients we must first identify all of the outside contingencies that can/will affect the effectiveness of implementation. It is time for our governing bodies to address the issues surrounding multicultural and diversity issues within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. 

We are asking that Applied Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) provide statements on the tangible steps being taken to address these issues. The statements made by the group administrator (in addition to approximately 200+ comments) indicate the need for socially significant change within our field. Modifications must be made to the current (and proposed) task lists, Continuing Education (CEU) requirements, and course work requirements. These actions will ensure all behavior analytic professional  function under the guidance of cultural awareness and cultural humility

Covenant 15:16 LLC was founded on the core belief that all families should receive appropriate services, regardless of any outside contingencies. As we continue to address the issues within the world, we here at Covenant call on other professionals within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis to remain vigilant regarding their own personal biases against others. We will continue to work with other professionals across cultural demographics and seek out authentic understanding of others. We are just asking that all others do the same.