Episode 314 - Tutorial: Working With an Interpreter

ABA Inside Track

As part of the work of a behavior analyst, our ethical code requires us to explain our services in language that can be understood by clients and stakeholders. That holds doubly true when our clients speak a primary language other than English. And just busting out Google Translate isn’t going to cut it! In the next entry in our Tutorial series, we break out the “how to” basics behind following best practices when working with an interpreter in delivering ABA services. From meaningful feedback and collaboration with an interpreter to ensuring a respectful flow of communication between all parties, we’ll get your practice up to speed in no time. Well, at least in the time it takes to listen to this episode.

This episode is available for 1.0 CULTURAL (ETHICS) CEU.

Articles discussed this episode:

Dowdy, A., Obidimalor, K.C., Tinanci, M., & Travers, J.C. (2021). Delivering culturally sound and high-quality behavior analytic services when working with an interpreter. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 21, 51-64. doi: 10.1037/bar0000206

Vasquez, D.J., Lechago, S.A., & McCarville, M.J. (2024). Training behavior analysis graduate students to work with an interpreter. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17, 1160-1174. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-00938-w

Hadziabdic, E., Albin, B., Heikkila, K., & Hjelm, K. (2014). Family members’ experiences of the use of interpreters in healthcare. Primary Health Care Research and Development, 15, 156-169. doi: 10.1017/S1463423612000680

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