Cultural Competence in ABA

Every individual who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is unique. While most people with autism share common characteristics and face common challenges, there are varying degrees to which they are affected.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) is the leading treatment for children on the autism spectrum, in large part because it is personalized to each patient. This means the child’s strengths, challenges, needs and preferences are all built into their treatment plan.

ABA therapy plans need to also take into consideration cultural factors, not only recognizing them but also respecting them as treatment is administered. Doing so ensures that all patients and their families are treated with respect.

In addition, respecting all the factors that make a person who they are often leads to better engagement in ABA therapy, which ultimately leads to the best possible outcomes.

Below, we’ll discuss cultural competence in ABA therapy.

Table Of Contents

What Cultural Factors are Important for ABA Therapy?

There are many variables that need to be taken into consideration for ABA therapy. Each of these can influence how an individual and their family members engage with ABA therapists.

Factors such as a person’s age and their nationality can influence how therapists should communicate with the patient, for example. A family’s socioeconomic status can influence their access to resources.

A person’s ethnicity, race, religion and gender can all shape a person’s core beliefs, which could factor into how ABA therapy plans are designed and administered.

It’s also very important to factor in the patient’s disability, or the reason why they are getting ABA therapy in the first place. Without taking this into consideration, it would be difficult to tailor the specific interventions to the patient’s needs.

Why is It Important to Consider Cultural Factors in ABA Therapy?

By taking cultural factors into consideration for every ABA therapy treatment plan, therapy teams can create a more effective and tailored approach to providing patients with the support they need. When therapists design treatment plans that reflect each patient’s unique experiences and background, it ensures that patients feel valued, understood and seen.

In turn, this helps to create a stronger therapist-patient relationship — and a stronger relationship between the therapy team and the patient’s family — which has a direct effect on the success of the therapy itself.

It’s particularly important to pay close attention to cultural factors for patients in marginalized groups. These individuals may already face extra stigma and barriers to seeking mental health support, for reasons ranging from access, cost and being able to find providers who are culturally sensitive.

How Can ABA Therapy Providers Foster Cultural Competence?

It is incumbent on ABA therapy providers to foster cultural competence from the top-down in their organizations. This will ensure that all people who work for the organization recognize the diverse beliefs, values and backgrounds of their clients and respect them in everything they do.

A person’s cultural factors can play a significant role in how clients perceive ASD as well as how they engage with various therapeutic strategies.

When crafting ABA therapy treatment plans, it’s important that teams ensure that they align with the family’s values, as those are a major part of their unique needs. Being able to personalize the treatment plan in this way promotes greater understanding of what ABA therapy is, a better relationship between the therapy team and the patient, and interventions that are much more meaningful and relevant to each patient.

ABA therapy providers need to integrate cultural competence into training for all employees. This includes promoting active listening, so therapists pay attention to the specific concerns and perspectives that each client has, and why they have them.

Another effective strategy is directly asking the patient and their family about any cultural practices they have that should be factored into the treatment plan.

Training and education surrounding a person’s biases is also important. This helps to enhance their self-awareness, which can help them be more sensitive to other people’s backgrounds and viewpoints during all aspects of the relationship.

Blue Gems ABA Fosters Cultural Competence Throughout Our Organization

Respecting the unique cultural backgrounds of patients and their family members is a vital aspect of ABA therapy. Without it being integrated into all aspects, the therapy won’t be nearly as effective as it could be, as it won’t be understanding and respecting what makes a person who they are.

At Blue Gems ABA, we foster cultural competence throughout our organization. We ensure that all of our employees respect patients’ cultural backgrounds, and work that into the creation and administration of all treatment plans.

To learn more, please contact us today.