Building Culturally Responsive Family-Centred PBS for Chinese Immigrant Families | Chloe Wang

For decades, behaviour analysts have worked to develop evidence-based interventions that improve quality of life for children and families.

But evidence-based doesn't always mean culturally responsive.

In this episode, Ben welcomes Chloe Wang, BCBA and PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia, whose dissertation explores a culturally responsive, group-based Family-Centred Positive Behaviour Support program designed specifically for Chinese immigrant families of children with autism.

Chloe shares her remarkable journey from immigrating to Canada as a teenager, discovering behaviour analysis almost by accident, completing her master's degree at Brock University, helping establish an autism treatment centre in China, and returning to UBC to pursue research that bridges science with culture.

One of the most compelling aspects of Chloe's work is her commitment to co-design. Before launching her randomized controlled trial, she conducted focus groups with both families and professionals to refine every aspect of the intervention—from language and examples to program structure and delivery.

Those conversations led to significant changes, including splitting the original 16-week program into two levels and expanding discussions around reinforcement and punishment after families expressed a desire to fully understand behavioural principles before embracing Positive Behaviour Support.

Ben and Chloe also explore:

Why culture influences how families experience behavioural intervention
The importance of implementation science in clinical practice
Family-centred PBS across prevention tiers
Measuring meaningful outcomes beyond behaviour reduction
Maintaining treatment effects after intervention ends
Using technology to improve long-term sustainability
Future directions for culturally responsive behaviour analysis

This episode highlights how listening to families doesn't weaken behaviour analysis—it strengthens it.

As our profession continues to grow globally, Chloe's work provides a thoughtful roadmap for adapting evidence-based practice while remaining grounded in behavioural science.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4qOZ1GAVFCw

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.5 Ethics
IBAO:  1.5 Cultural
QABA: 1.5 Ethics
CBA/CPD: 1.5 Cultural Diversity  

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Contact Chloe

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloewangaba/

City Medical Child Development Centre

https://citychildclinic.com/case-study/chloe-wang/

Interested in learning more about Positive Behaviour Support and culturally responsive practice? Check out these related conversations from the Behaviour Speak archives:

Family-Centred Positive Behaviour Support with Dr. Joseph Lucyshyn (Part 1) – Learn about the foundations of Family-Centred PBS from one of its developers, including the ecological and behavioural principles that informed Chloe's dissertation.
Episode 43: Family-Centred Positive Behaviour Support (Part 1)
Family-Centred Positive Behaviour Support with Dr. Joseph Lucyshyn (Part 2) – Continue the discussion with an exploration of implementation, ethics, cultural responsiveness, and building sustainable support for families.
Episode 44: Family-Centred Positive Behaviour Support (Part 2)
Empowering the Chinese Autism Community with Hazel Lim – Explore autism advocacy, family support, and community leadership within Chinese communities, complementing Chloe's discussion of culturally responsive service delivery.
Episode 212: Empowering the Chinese Autism Community with Hazel Lim
Culturally Responsive Autism Support in Indigenous Communities – Drs. Candi Running Bear, Davis E. Henderson, and Olivia Lindly discuss culturally responsive autism supports and the importance of partnering with communities—many themes that resonate with Chloe's research.
Culturally Responsive Autism Support in Indigenous Communities
Beyond Behaviour Reduction: Reclaiming the Constructional Approach in PBS – Oliver Roschke and John Wooderson explore how Positive Behaviour Support can move beyond reducing challenging behaviour to building meaningful, sustainable lives—an important philosophical companion to Chloe's work on Family-Centred PBS.
Beyond Behaviour Reduction: Reclaiming the Constructional Approach in PBS