Future Directions of Training and Fieldwork in Diversity Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis

Brian Conners; Ashlynn Johnson; Jacqueline Duarte; Ranim Murriky; Kevin Marks

doi:10.1007/s40617-019-00349-2

Future Directions of Training and Fieldwork in Diversity Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis

Behav Anal Pract. 2019 Apr 8;12(4):767-776. doi: 10.1007/s40617-019-00349-2. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Authors

Brian Conners¹, Ashlynn Johnson¹, Jacqueline Duarte¹, Ranim Murriky¹, Kevin Marks¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Educational Studies, College of Education and Human Services, Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Avenue, Jubilee Hall Rm. 431, South Orange, NJ 07079 USA.

Abstract

This paper examines the perceptions of behavior-analytic professionals holding credentials through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®)-including Board Certified Behavior Analysts-Doctoral™, Board Certified Behavior Analysts®, and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts®-regarding multiculturalism and diversity issues in their graduate training, fieldwork, and supervision. This paper predominantly focuses on future directions for improving graduate training, fieldwork, and supervision requirements in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to produce more culturally competent professionals. Results from a preliminary survey of BACB® certificants (N = 575) are included to provide a context for recommendations on how to move the field of ABA forward to enhance the training and preparation of future credentialed professionals.

Keywords: Applied behavior analysis; Diversity; Fieldwork; Graduate training; Multiculturalism; Supervision.