Clinical experience for this week.

• Acknowledging Power Imbalances:
  • BCBAs hold a position of power, and cultural humility requires us to be aware of how this power can influence our interactions with clients.  
  • This includes:
    • Being mindful of our own biases and assumptions.
    • Creating a safe and respectful environment where clients feel comfortable expressing themselves.
    • Being willing to yield to the expertise of the client and their family regarding their own culture.

Utilizing Cultural Humility in BCBA Practice:

• Example 1: Assessing a Child with Limited Expressive Language in a Multicultural Setting:
  • Instead of relying solely on standardized language assessments, a BCBA would:
    • Conduct observations in the child's natural environment, such as at home and in the community.
    • Collaborate with the child's parents and caregivers to understand their communication expectations and preferences.
    • Use functional communication assessments to identify the child's communicative intents and the functions of their verbal behavior.  
    • If the child is bilingual, make sure to assess the childs verbal behavior in both languages.
• Example 2: Developing a Social Skills Intervention for an Adolescent from a Collectivist Culture:
  • A BCBA would:
    • Incorporate culturally relevant social skills into the intervention, such as cooperation, respect for elders, and group harmony.
    • Involve family members in the intervention process and seek their input on culturally appropriate social skills.
    • Use role-playing and other activities that are culturally sensitive and relevant to the adolescent's experiences.
• Example 3: Conducting a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) with an Adult with a History of Trauma:
  • A BCBA would:
    • Create a safe and supportive environment where the adult feels comfortable sharing their experiences.
    • Be mindful of potential cultural differences in how trauma is experienced and expressed.
    • Use trauma-informed assessment methods that prioritize the adult's safety and well-being.
    • Recognize that verbal behavior can be heavily impacted by past trauma, and adjust the FBA accordingly.
• Example 4: When conducting parent training with a family that has immigrated from a different country:
  • A BCBA would:
    • Take time to learn about the parent's cultural beliefs about child rearing.
    • Ask the parents what they feel is important for their child to learn.
    • Adjust the parent training to fit the culture of the family.
    • Use examples that are culturally relevant to the family.

By integrating cultural humility into their practice, BCBAs can provide more effective and culturally responsive services to individuals from diverse backgrounds.