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How SLPs and behavior analysts work together on the same client

When a speech-language pathologist and a behavior analyst serve the same child, each works within their own scope and competence, and they agree in writing on shared goals, the words they use, how they share data and how they settle a disagreement.

Why the two fields meet so often

Communication difficulties and challenging behavior can be linked in autism. When a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and a behavior analyst serve the same client, collaboration helps them coordinate their work within their respective scopes of practice and competence.

The Practice Board of the Association for Behavior Analysis International describes "considerable overlap" between the two professions' scopes of practice in the treatment of conditions such as autism, and notes that many early speech-language pathologists were trained in behavior analysis. It also names the tension that can follow when professionals compete for the same clients and resources.

Scope of practice and scope of competence

ABAI distinguishes scope of practice (the activities a professional is authorized to perform) from scope of competence (the clinical activities they can perform to a specified standard of excellence). Its guidance states: "Knowledge of universally applicable principles does not translate to an unconstrained scope of practice or an unlimited scope of competence." It cautions behavior analysts against assuming that an SLP is unnecessary for communication disabilities, or treating clinical problems, such as swallowing, that they do not understand.

Standard 2.10 of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts requires collaboration with colleagues from the same and other professions in the best interest of clients and stakeholders. When conflicts arise, behavior analysts must compromise when possible, prioritize the client's best interest, and document their actions and the eventual outcomes.

What to agree on, in writing

Use a short written plan to record what the team agrees. It records eight things: the team and how to reach each person; each professional's role; the shared goals and who leads each one; the methods and the words you both use for the same skill; what data each of you keeps and how often you share it; how and when you meet, with the client as appropriate and the family or guardians taking part; how you raise and resolve a disagreement; and the consent your setting requires, with a date to review the plan.

Our free collaboration plan walks an SLP, an OT or a psychologist and a behavior analyst through those eight parts and prints a plan for your next team meeting. Explore our allied health collaboration guide.

From our collaboration sessions

Our recorded session "SLPs and BCBAs: How Do We Make Collaboration Work?" opens from the same place. As the speaker Sharon Watts, MS, CCC-SLP, is quoted in its description: "When the fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Behaviorism collaborate, treatment can be maximized exponentially for individuals on the Autism spectrum and beyond."

Common questions

Does a child with autism need both an SLP and a BCBA?

ABAI's guidance supports collaboration where the professions' scopes overlap; it does not establish that every child with autism needs both professionals. When both are involved, each must work within their own scope of practice and competence.

Who leads a shared goal, like requesting a break?

Record who leads each shared goal based on the professionals' roles and scopes of practice and competence. Agree together on how each professional prompts, reinforces and measures the goal, the terms you use, and what data you record and share.

What should we do when we disagree?

Agree in advance how to raise disagreements, what information to bring and how to record the outcome. BACB Ethics Code standard 2.10 requires behavior analysts to address conflicts by compromising when possible, always prioritize the client's best interest, and document their actions and the eventual outcomes.

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