Navigating Cultural Differences During the Delivery of Behavior Analysis Services in Austria

Behavior analysts working in countries with a higher rate of migration will inevitably serve families of diverse cultural backgrounds. This is the case in Austria, a country in Eastern Europe with great diversity among its inhabitants. It is very likely that the behavior analyst working in Austria will face potential cultural differences due to the presence of cultural diversity. Although technical competency is important to ensure clients will receive the most effective interventions, it is also essential that providers are aware of and responsive to the cultural context to guarantee that clients’ preferences, based on their values, are incorporated into the intervention plan and its strategies. Barriers to culturally sensitive services might involve the differences between the values and cultural practices of families, as well age differences, and the service provider. To overcome these barriers, the behavior analyst should evaluate their own culture incompetency while practicing cultural humility. This could involve the development of cultural awareness, the acquisition of cultural knowledge, and the emission of culturally responsive behaviors. In this article, we will present an overview of some potential cultural barriers and suggest practical steps to overcome cultural differences during service delivery.