Training Behavior Analysis Graduate Students to Work with an Interpreter

Subject Matter Expert: Sarah A. Lechago, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA | Host: Maria Nicolaou, MSc BCBA

CEU ELIGIBILITY: 
BACB CEUs: 1 General 

Are you passionate about Applied Behavior Analysis and committed to delivering culturally responsive care to diverse communities Join Special Learning’s Journal Club—a dynamic and interactive space for professionals committed to excellence and inclusion in ABA practice.

In this month's Journal Club, hosted by Dr. Sarah A. Lechago, we will explore the article “Training Behavior Analysis Graduate Students to Work with an Interpreter.” 

Overview:

In an increasingly diverse society, the demand for culturally and linguistically responsive ABA services is growing. This article presents a timely and necessary examination of how graduate students in behavior analysis can be effectively trained to collaborate with interpreters when working with families who speak limited or no English. Using Behavioral Skills Training (BST), the study evaluated how well key communication behaviors—such as using nontechnical language, speaking directly to caregivers, and positioning the interpreter appropriately—could be taught and generalized in practice. 

The findings reveal that ABA graduate students can acquire essential interpreter collaboration skills in under an hour of training and demonstrate them effectively in real sessions. However, caregiver comprehension did not always correspond with improved student behavior, highlighting important nuances in delivering services across language barriers. 

This session will explore evidence-based training procedures and discuss practical strategies for enhancing communication and service delivery with linguistically diverse families. 

Who Should Attend: 

• Behavior analysts and ABA graduate students 

• Supervisors and educators in ABA training programs 

• Practitioners working with multilingual or culturally diverse populations 

• Clinic directors and administrators seeking to improve DEI initiatives 

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with practical solutions for bridging language barriers and providing ethical, inclusive services to all families.

Learning Objectives:

Identify five target behaviors essential for effective collaboration with an interpreter during ABA service delivery. 
Analyze the effectiveness of Behavioral Skills Training (BST) in improving these interpreter-related skills among graduate students. 
Apply practical strategies to enhance cultural and linguistic responsiveness, including positioning of the interpreter and simplifying technical language for clearer communication. 
 

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