The Role of Culture in ABA Goal Development

Michael Mohan

August 7, 2025

Discover how The Role of Culture in ABA Goal Development shapes more meaningful, respectful interventions.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy has long been recognized as an evidence-based intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ABA is considered an evidence-based best practice treatment by the US Surgeon General and by the American Psychological Association. “Evidence based” means that ABA has passed scientific tests of its usefulness, quality, and effectiveness. However, as the demographic landscape of the United States continues to evolve, the importance of incorporating cultural considerations into ABA goal development has become increasingly critical for effective treatment outcomes.

The latest autism statistics reveal significant demographic shifts that underscore the need for culturally responsive ABA services. As of 2024, 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to the CDC. This represents a notable increase from previous years, moving from 1 in 44 children two years earlier. More importantly, ASD prevalence was lower among non-Hispanic White children (24.3) and children of two or more races (22.9) than among non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black), Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander (A/PI) children (29.3, 31.6, and 33.4 respectively). A recent study confirmed these disparities in that, compared with non-Hispanic White children, ASD prevalence was 1.8 times as high among Hispanic, 1.6 times as high among non-Hispanic Black children.

This demographic reality demands a fundamental shift in how ABA practitioners approach goal development, moving beyond one-size-fits-all models to embrace culturally responsive practices that honor the diverse backgrounds, values, and traditions of the families they serve.

Understanding Culture in the Context of ABA Therapy

Culture is established by the shared values, beliefs and customs that are developed through common experiences. It grows into a system of rules that are the core of communities. With this definition of culture, we gain an understanding of the importance of culture in the individuals we work with, and how it shapes our interaction with others.

Culture plays a significant role in shaping an individual’s beliefs, values, and behaviors. It influences how we communicate, perceive the world, and respond to interventions. Recognizing and respecting the cultural backgrounds of children with autism is vital in tailoring treatment plans that are both effective and ethical.

In the ABA context, culture affects every aspect of the therapeutic process, from initial assessment to goal selection, intervention strategies, and measurement of outcomes. These cultural contingencies shape behavior, behavior that may or may not be acceptable or familiar to behavior analysts from another culture. One benefit of determining cultural identity is it can allow behavior analysts to develop an awareness of a client’s personal cultural values, preferences (i.e., learned reinforcers), characteristics, and circumstances (contingencies at the third level of selection; Skinner 1981).

The Current State of Cultural Competence in ABA Practice

Despite growing awareness of cultural considerations, research reveals concerning gaps in current ABA practice. Only 39% of respondents reported they asked whether the treatment goals aligned with the values of the family every time (31% reported most times), and surprisingly, roughly one in three respondents (30%) reported they never, rarely, or sometimes asked whether the treatment goals aligned with family values.

This statistic is particularly troubling considering that applied behavior analysis is defined by the selection of socially significant behavior (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968), which should be measured through social validity assessments. In other words, applied behavior analysts should always be asking relevant stakeholders if the behaviors are important, the treatment procedures are acceptable, and the effects are socially significant. By conducting social validity assessments and asking caregivers about the acceptability of behaviors, procedures, and effects, we are removing our biases developed through our experience in our culture.

Further highlighting the need for improved cultural competence, The majority of respondents reported that training on working with individuals from diverse backgrounds was extremely important (58%) or very important (30%), and they felt extremely comfortable (49%) or moderately comfortable (43%) working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. In addition, the majority of respondents reported being moderately skilled (63%) or extremely skilled (23%) at working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. However, this self-reported confidence doesn’t necessarily translate to culturally responsive practices.

The Impact of Cultural Bias on Goal Development

One of the most significant challenges in ABA goal development is the unconscious bias that practitioners may bring to the therapeutic relationship. As professionals, it is essential for us to examine our own cultural biases. Our biases can inadvertently influence the goals we set and the strategies we employ in behavior change programs. By being aware of our biases, we can ensure that treatment plans are culturally sensitive and respect the unique needs and values of each individual.

A concrete example illustrates this point: For example, a provider working with a child from a collectivist culture may set a goal to increase the child’s independent decision-making skills during play activities. However, in the child’s cultural context, interdependence and collaboration are highly valued, and decision-making is often a shared process among family members. By overlooking this cultural aspect, the clinician’s bias towards individualism may unintentionally disregard the importance of cooperative decision-making, potentially limiting the cultural relevance and effectiveness of the treatment goal.

Similarly, communication styles vary significantly across cultures, which can impact both assessment and goal development. For example, many Asian cultures are more likely to use indirect communication and are less likely to explicitly disagree with an authority figure and instead will actively avoid conflict (Morris et al., 1998). In addition, gestures can have different meanings in different cultures. An individual from an Asian culture may appear to consent to a procedure (e.g., head nodding) even though he or she does not agree with the procedure but was instead head nodding to denote he or she heard the professional.

Barriers to Accessing Culturally Responsive ABA Services

Multiple barriers prevent families from diverse backgrounds from accessing culturally appropriate ABA services, which in turn affects the development of meaningful treatment goals.

Workforce Diversity Gap

As highlighted by Dubay, Watson, and Zhang (2018), “The lack of racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity in service providers is an issue facing many clinical fields.” Increasing diversity within the field is essential for ensuring culturally competent and effective treatment for individuals from diverse backgrounds. It is our assertion that a lack of cultural diversity among ABA certificants (Beene, 2019) leaves room for perpetuation of the dominant culture’s values, practices, and beliefs, at best, and systemic injustices and irreparable harm to diverse populations, at worst. We must create pipelines to increase the representation within our field, to serve increasingly diverse client populations who could benefit from well-trained, humble, responsive professionals who understand their unique linguistic and cultural needs.

Language and Communication Barriers

The purpose of this study was to identify and learn about the cultural and language barriers that Latino families face when accessing applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We administered a survey to gather basic descriptive information regarding language and cultural barriers faced by Latino families, specifically from a sample of families living in Nevada. We then conducted follow-up interviews and focus groups to collect detailed accounts of the barriers that these families faced.

Language barriers extend beyond simple translation needs. These include: Language Differences: Families may speak different languages, affecting communication and engagement. Sociocultural Misunderstandings: Behavior analysts might misconstrue cultural norms as problematic behaviors.

Systemic and Structural Barriers

As evidenced by our clinical experiences and review of extant literature, briefly summarized below, children of color are disproportionately absent in normative data on rates of diagnosis, access to services, and service penetration in medical treatment of ASD. A growing body of research compares health disparities among culturally diverse communities and the majority White population throughout the United States, and these systemic issues have been brought to the forefront in recent months. On May 29, 2020, the American Public Health Association (APHA, 2020) declared racism to be an ongoing public health crisis that demands immediate attention and action.

Key Principles of Culturally Responsive Goal Development

1. Strength-Based Approach

The first, approach the child, their family, and the community from a strength-based model. Rather than viewing cultural differences as deficits to be corrected, culturally responsive ABA recognizes the inherent strengths and resources within diverse communities and families.

2. Objective Behavior Definition

When providing a definition of a target behavior, be as objective as possible. This principle becomes particularly important when working across cultures, as behaviors that may be considered problematic in one cultural context might be completely appropriate in another.

3. Cultural Integration in Learning

Include the culture of the learner in the learning process and ensure the replacement behavior is appropriate for the existing culture. This means that treatment goals should not only be socially significant within the broader community but also culturally relevant within the client’s specific cultural context.

4. Continuous Learning and Growth

Continue to learn about culture, diversity, and inclusion. Cultural competence is not a destination but an ongoing journey that requires continuous education and self-reflection.

Practical Strategies for Culturally Responsive Goal Development

Family-Centered Assessment and Goal Setting

They customize the ABA program to each learner’s skills, needs, interests, preferences and family situation. The BCBA will start by doing a detailed assessment of each person’s skills and preferences. They will use this to write specific treatment goals. Family goals and preferences may be included, too.

Family involvement is crucial to the goal-selection process. Parents and caregivers provide valuable insights into their child’s behavior in everyday settings. This collaboration helps ensure that the goals are not only tailored to the child’s strengths and challenges but also align with their real-world experiences.

Cultural Assessment Tools and Frameworks

The ADDRESSING model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding cultural diversity in ABA practice. The ADDRESSING model represents a framework for enhancing awareness of individual differences and identities, most notably within the context of cultural responsiveness. It appreciates that an individual’s learning history, which includes cultural and social experiences, profoundly affects behaviors, preferences, and worldview. It helps behavior analysts to examine and consider these learning histories when providing ABA therapy.

Collaborative Goal Setting Process

Rather than imposing predetermined goals, culturally responsive ABA emphasizes collaborative goal setting. Rather than gauging families’ “buy-in” regarding predetermined interventions, behavior analysts should include family members and other stakeholders as valuable members of the treatment team.

This collaborative approach ensures that goals are meaningful within the family’s cultural context while still addressing the child’s developmental needs.

Case Study: Culturally Responsive Mealtime Goals

A practical example demonstrates how cultural considerations can transform goal development. Consider a therapist working with a child from a culturally diverse background who exhibits challenging behaviors during mealtime. The BCBA recognizes that the family’s cultural practices include communal eating, eating with their hands, and the preparation of traditional foods. In this case, an ethically sound intervention would involve understanding and respecting the family’s cultural practices while addressing the challenging behavior. Instead of imposing rigid expectations of eating independently, forcing the child to eat with utensils, or conforming to other Western mealtime norms, the therapist would collaborate with the family to develop strategies that promote positive mealtime experiences while honoring their cultural traditions. This approach ensures that the behavior-change intervention is culturally sensitive and respectful, promoting the client’s well-being while maintaining the integrity of their cultural background.

The Role of Ethics in Culturally Responsive Practice

Behavior-change interventions must meet the culturally sensitive needs of the client to be considered ethical. Cultural sensitivity requires us to be attentive and respectful of the individual’s culture, considering how cultural contingencies can support their behaviors and aligning treatment recommendations with the values of their culture. It is crucial to foster an inclusive and culturally responsive environment to promote positive outcomes.

The new Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts requires that certificants engage in training related to culturally responsive service delivery (BACB, 2020). This requirement reflects the field’s growing recognition that cultural competence is not optional but essential for ethical practice.

Overcoming Implementation Challenges

Training and Professional Development

Lack of Training: Many practitioners lack formal education on cultural… One significant barrier is the deficiency of culturally competent providers. These professionals often lack the skills necessary to recognize and respect the cultural backgrounds and unique needs of various communities, which can lead to ineffective treatment strategies.

The need for culturally competent providers is crucial in addressing these barriers. Enhancing diversity within service providers can lead to improved understanding and better support for individuals from various backgrounds. Additionally, systemic reforms must focus on increasing availability and streamlining access to ABA services in underserved regions. By implementing these solutions, we can work towards reducing the disparities faced by diverse populations and ensure that effective support is available for all families in need.

Organizational Support and Infrastructure

ABA providers should consider establishing their own infrastructure to ensure that culturally sensitive services are delivered, by way of a top–down and bottom–up leadership structure. Bi-directional leadership allows for a diverse group of RBTs, BCaBAs, and BCBAs to advocate for cultural and language inclusion and provide essential guidance to an executive leadership team.

Practical Implementation Strategies

Organizations can implement several practical strategies to support culturally responsive goal development:

Bilingual Services: Offer therapy in clients’ preferred languages, strengthening communication and trust.
Cultural Consultation: Partner with cultural consultants and community leaders to better understand specific cultural practices and values.
Staff Training: Implement comprehensive cultural competency training that goes beyond surface-level diversity awareness.
Community Engagement: Engaging with families and community members allows therapists to gain valuable insights into clients’ cultural backgrounds and tailor interventions accordingly.

Measuring Success in Culturally Responsive Goals

Success in culturally responsive ABA goal development should be measured not just by behavioral change but by the meaningfulness of that change within the client’s cultural context. In ABA, ongoing pursuit of socially significant client outcomes should be our primary goal. Over time, we can co-create systems to measure the impact of these changes on access to high-quality care, and achievement of socially significant treatment goals.

Key indicators of successful culturally responsive goal development include:

Family satisfaction with the relevance and appropriateness of goals
Maintenance and generalization of skills within cultural contexts
Improved family engagement and collaboration
Reduced disparities in treatment outcomes across cultural groups

The Future of Culturally Responsive ABA

As the field continues to evolve, several trends are shaping the future of culturally responsive ABA practice:

Increased Accountability and Standards

The BACB’s Ethics Code (2022) now includes responsiveness in two of the ethical codes that behaviour analysts must adhere to in 1.04 and 4.07 – (This means that behaviour analysts have a professional responsibility to be knowledgeable and respectful of cultural diversity. Furthermore, in 2026 the BACB will introduce a DEI Category where BCBAs and BCaBAs will be required to earn continuing education credits in this sub-category to maintain certification.

Research and Evidence Building

There is limited work in the area of culturally responsive evidence-based practice within our field. Therefore, it is incumbent on researchers and practitioners to identify best practices for working with diverse populations. Hence, the purpose of this paper is three-fold: a) to review research within and outside the field of ABA related to culturally responsive assessment and treatment and provide practice recommendations, b) to examine the extent to which current practices in behavior assessment and treatment align with aspects of culturally responsive practices, and c) to inspire research in the areas of behavior assessment and treatment to identify best practices with regard to culturally responsive behavior analytic practices.

Recommendations for Practitioners

Based on current research and best practices, ABA practitioners should:

Conduct thorough cultural assessments that go beyond demographic information to understand family values, traditions, and practices
Involve families as equal partners in the goal-setting process, ensuring that their cultural perspectives are valued and integrated
Regularly evaluate goal relevance within the family’s cultural context, adjusting as needed based on ongoing feedback
Seek ongoing education in cultural competency and stay current with best practices in culturally responsive ABA
Advocate for organizational changes that support culturally responsive practices and reduce barriers to access
Collaborate with community resources to better understand and serve diverse populations

Conclusion

The role of culture in ABA goal development is not merely an add-on consideration but a fundamental aspect of ethical, effective practice. Cultural considerations are not just a peripheral aspect of ABA therapy; they are fundamental to its effectiveness and ethical integrity. As the demographics of autism diagnoses continue to shift toward greater diversity, the ABA field must evolve to meet the needs of all families with culturally responsive, meaningful interventions.

To echo Pritchett et al. (2021), who called for a shift within the ABA research paradigm, we attest that “it is time” for true change in applied clinical settings. The true change we seek does require accountability; however, the application of our science must evolve from a mentality of simply checking off boxes, to instead adopting a living and breathing view of human identity.

The future of ABA depends on our ability to embrace this cultural transformation, ensuring that every child and family receives services that honor their cultural identity while promoting meaningful behavioral change. By prioritizing culturally responsive goal development, we can build a more inclusive, effective, and ethical field that truly serves all members of our diverse communities.

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