Taylor Menendez

Effective communication is essential to ethical and high-quality service delivery, yet language barriers can significantly impact assessment accuracy, treatment integrity, and client outcomes. This continuing education (CE) training equips clinicians with practical strategies for using interpreter services effectively while adhering to ethical and professional standards. Participants will explore the risks of miscommunication, including clinical errors, reduced client engagement, and cultural misunderstandings, and learn how to mitigate these risks through appropriate interpreter use. The training will cover key distinctions between interpreters and translators, when interpreter services are required, and how to access and collaborate with interpreters in clinical settings. Emphasis will be placed on maintaining client dignity, ensuring informed consent, and avoiding common pitfalls such as relying on family members or untrained staff. Participants will also learn actionable strategies for structuring sessions with interpreters.

Description of Event Content (Abstract) Gender-affirming care is a critical component of ethical and effective healthcare, yet many fields, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), lack comprehensive guidelines for integrating inclusive practices. This presentation explores the life-saving impact of gender-affirming care and its intersection with ABA. We will examine evidence-based strategies for creating affirming environments, addressing barriers to care, and implementing inclusive interventions that respect and support LGBTQIA+ clients. By integrating gender-affirming practices into ABA, professionals can improve client outcomes, enhance therapeutic relationships, and contribute to a more inclusive field. Attendees will leave with practical tools to ensure their practices align with affirming, ethical, and person-centered care. Justification for Ethics CE Participants will learn to uphold BACB Ethics Code standards, including cultural responsiveness (1.07), nondiscrimination (1.08), scope of competence (1.05), informed consent (2.05), and effective treatment (2.01).