Applied Behavior Analysis in Mexico: Efforts and Challenges in Public Policy, Advocacy, and Autism Intervention
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2025
Abstract
Behavior analysis has a long tradition in academic institutions in Mexico. However, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) remains an underdeveloped component of public policies in healthcare, education, and welfare. This paper aims to assess the current state of ABA in Mexico, including its practice, recognition, regulation, and integration into public policies. An overview of the Mexican healthcare and education systems is provided as ABA services should be integrated into these structures. There is a specific focus on the management of developmental disabilities (DD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), for which ABA has been historically used. Recent advancements in Mexican legislation regarding the protection of people with DD and ASD and their right to receive effective attention and treatment are discussed. Also discussed are recent efforts for the creation of a professional association aimed at recognizing the effectiveness of ABA when designing empirically validated interventions. The potential impact of ABA services on public policies regarding healthcare and education in Mexico is highlighted. Finally, challenges are identified and recommendations are made to expand the reach of ABA in Mexico.
ORCID ID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9842-4500
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-01031-y
Repository Citation
de los Santos, Mariana; Hernandez Eslava, Varsovia; Guerra, Maria Angela; Lozano-Ramirez, Juan Francisco; Enriquez, Janet; Martinez, Ana Paula; and de la Cruz, Berenice, "Applied Behavior Analysis in Mexico: Efforts and Challenges in Public Policy, Advocacy, and Autism Intervention" (2025). All Faculty Scholarship. 35.
https://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/pubs_faculty/35
Comments
Originally published as:
de los Santos, M., Hernández-Eslava, V., Guerra, M. A., Lozano-Ramirez, F. L., Enriquez, J., Martinez, A. P., & de la Cruz, B. (2025). Applied Behavior Analysis in Mexico: Efforts and Challenges in Public Policy, Advocacy, and Regulation. Behavior Analysis in Practice Special Issue on Public Policy Advocacy, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-01031-y
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