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:
- Identify the intended outcomes. Help families identify specific behaviors they can track that will be indicators of if the goals are working. Remember, we can’t track happiness but we can help families think about what behaviors their children do to show they are feeling happy.
- Develop a data collection system. Remember that this data collection system will be used by the families, not a behavior technician. The simpler and more feasible the structure is for data collection, the more likely you are to get accurate data. In my humble opinion, I would prioritize accurate data over robust data in these instances
- Identify some criteria. Talk to the family about what kinds of results they’re looking to see and how they’re going to know whether the supplement is working. What is the timeline for evaluating the data and seeing the progress? What are the numbers we’d need to see in order to consider it a success? What would be the criteria for immediate discontinuation of the supplement?
- Collaborate with other providers that support the family. Medical doctors can provide important context about medical considerations and may be able to provide insight on important behaviors to track. School staff can help provide context about how the child is doing at school. Everyone is an important part of the team!
About the Author
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/.