Intersectionality in Practice: Valuing Individual Differences in Behaviour Support

In the field of behaviour analysis and disability support in Australia, applying an intersectional lens is essential to delivering ethical, effective, and person-centred services. Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, recognises that individuals experience the world through multiple overlapping social identities, such as disability, culture, gender, socioeconomic status, and personal history. In the context of the NDIS and behaviour support, valuing these individual differences ensures that interventions are not only evidence-based but also contextually and culturally responsive.

Intersectionality and Behaviour Science

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Contextual Behaviour Science (CBS) emphasise the importance of understanding behaviour within the environment in which it occurs. Behaviour is shaped not just by immediate contingencies but also by broader social, cultural, and historical factors. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) further contributes by promoting values-based action and encouraging individuals to move towards meaningful lives despite challenges. When behaviour practitioners incorporate understanding and incorporation of intersectionality, they acknowledge that an individual’s lived experience is more than just a diagnosis or a set of behaviours; it is shaped by the multiple identities they hold and the social structures that influence them.

For example, a neurodivergent individual accessing NDIS-funded supports may also navigate systemic barriers related to race, gender identity, or past trauma. Traditional approaches that focus solely on observable behaviour may overlook the significance of these intersecting factors. A values-driven approach, grounded in ACT and contextual behaviour science, allows practitioners to consider personal histories, environmental constraints, and social determinants of health when designing support plans.

Embedding Intersectionality in Behaviour Support

When working within the NDIS and behaviour support frameworks, there are practical ways to integrate intersectionality:

• Person-centred goal setting – Supporting the individual to identify what they value, rather than imposing neurotypical, Western, or deficit-based goals.

• Cultural responsiveness – Engaging in active listening, self-reflection, and co-designing interventions with individuals and their communities.

• Avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches – Recognising that two individuals with the same diagnosis may have vastly different lived experiences and needs.

• Empowering autonomy – Using assent-based, strengths-focused strategies to honour personal agency.

Intersectionality, in practice, means moving beyond surface-level inclusion to truly understanding how each individual’s unique experiences shape their interactions with the world. By embedding these principles into behaviour analysis, we move closer to a system where diversity is not just recognised but genuinely valued.

What do you think is the biggest barrier to incorporating intersectionality in behaviour support and disability services?

• A lack of training and awareness in the sector
• Systemic constraints (e.g., rigid NDIS structures, funding m
• Unconscious biases in practice
• Difficulty balancing standardised approaches with individual