By Nahoma Presberg, MS, BCBA, NYS-LBA
You probably get a lot of questions from families about different kinds of interventions, diets, supplements, experimental treatments, etc. It can be stressful to know how to answer these questions. As behavior analysts, we’re experts in behavior science and we’ve been taught to prioritize evidence-based practices for our clients. Does that mean that families should be discouraged from trying different strategies that are outside of behavior science? Of course not (provided those different strategies are safe). It is important that we understand how to integrate and understand these strategies within the context of the support we’re providing.
While behavior analysts can’t provide recommendations about non-behavior analytic interventions, we can support families in trying safe strategies using a scientific approach. We can help the family identify what kinds of outcomes they’re hoping to see and data collection strategies to help understand the impacts. We can help families interpret information and understand what is being marketed to them.
We can utilize the same scientific process with any strategy and help parents make informed decisions about the interventions they’re trying. Let’s go through an example together.
Let’s say that a family comes to you saying they want to try a new dietary supplement, and their pediatrician has already approved its use. You’ve heard of it but don’t know much about it. As far as you know, there isn’t research to demonstrate any benefits for children but no research indicating red flags either. You tell the family that providing advice about supplements is outside of your scope of practice, but you’d love to help them come up with a data collection system to help examine the effects.
This is great time to talk to the family about what their expectations are about the supplement and what they’re hoping will change because of introducing it to their child’s diet. Here are the steps:
Nahoma Presberg, MS BCBA NYS-LBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Nahoma obtained their master’s degree at the University of Rochester in Human Development. They have been working with clients in their homes for the past 6 years but has over a decade of experience supporting children with developmental disabilities. Nahoma is passionate about neurodiversity affirming care and thoughtful programming that helps every client thrive.
For more information about Nahoma, you can visit their website at https://www.nahomapresberg.com/.
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