Myth Busting: Speech Therapists & Behaviour Analysts

The myth that Speech and Language Therapists and Behaviour Analysts can’t work together…

 

I often hear parents and schools say that they are worried that their Speech and Language Therapist and Behaviour Analyst won’t be able to work together because they ‘clash’.  I despair at this conversation, because quite frankly, it’s nonsense!  However, there is a history of differing opinions that can impact the work that both of these professionals complete if not addressed swiftly and effectively.  Throughout this blog, I will endeavour to outline some of the reasons why this ‘clash’ occurs, and ways to alleviate and remediate the relationships between both incredibly important professions.  

 

1. Differing Approaches and Philosophies: SLTs and BAs often have distinct approaches and philosophical foundations. SLTs focus primarily on language and communication development, addressing issues related to speech sounds, language comprehension, and social communication. BAs, on the other hand, use Applied Behaviour Analysis principles to change behaviours and teach new skills. These differing paradigms can lead to conflicts in determining the primary focus of intervention.

 

2. Competing Priorities: In some cases, SLTs and BAs may have different priorities when working with a client. For example, an SLT may prioritize improving a client's articulation or fluency, while a BA may prioritize reducing challenging behaviours. These conflicting priorities can lead to disagreements about the direction of provision.

 

3. Communication Challenges: Miscommunication or a lack of clear communication between SLTs and BAs can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. Differences in terminology, assessment methods, and intervention strategies can make it challenging for these professionals to collaborate effectively.

 

4. Overlap in Scope: There is some overlap in the scope of practice between SLTs and BAs, particularly in areas related to communication and behaviour. This overlap can create ambiguity about each profession's role and responsibilities, potentially leading to conflicts over who should be responsible for specific aspects of a client's provision.

 

5. Lack of Awareness and Training: In some cases, and more often than not, professionals may not fully understand each other's roles and training. This lack of awareness can result in misconceptions and biases about the value and effectiveness of the other profession's interventions.

 

To mitigate clashes between SLTs and BAs and promote effective collaboration, it is essential to:

 

• Emphasize Client-Centered Intervention: Both professionals should prioritize the well-being and progress of the client above all else, recognizing that a multidisciplinary approach often yields the best results.
   
• Clear Communication: Encourage open and frequent communication between SLTs and BAs to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding goals, strategies, and progress.
   

• Training and Education: Promote cross-training and professional development opportunities to increase mutual understanding and respect between SLTs and BAs.
   
• Role Clarity: Establish clear guidelines and expectations for the roles and responsibilities of each profession within the collaborative team.
   
• Mediation and Conflict Resolution: Implement processes for resolving conflicts or disagreements in a constructive and respectful manner.
   
• Learn from Each Other: No one professional has all the answers!  Each discipline brings it’s own knowledge, research and experience and this can be hugely beneficial to the practice of another profession.  

 

Ultimately, collaboration between SLTs and BAs can be highly beneficial for clients, as it harnesses the strengths of both professions to address complex communication and behavioural challenges comprehensively. Addressing potential clashes through improved communication and understanding can lead to more effective and harmonious multidisciplinary teams.