What We Can Do About Stigma and Racism Using Behaviour Science with Dr. Marija Čolić, Ph.D., BCBA

In this episode, Ben chats with Marija Čolić, Ph.D., BCBA, about her research in Serbia and the US on stigma for Autistic folks and other disabilities. They then discuss her recent paper on Black caregivers perspectives on racism in autism services.

Check out Marija's newly published article here!  

Čolić, M. (2025). Overcoming stigma in neurodiversity: Toward stigma-informed ABA practice. Behavior Analysis in Practice, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-025-01064-x  

Continuing Education Units (CEUs): https://cbiconsultants.com/shop

• 2.0 CEUs
• BACB: Ethics
• IBAO: Cultural
• QABA: Ethics
• CBA: Cultural Diversity
•  

 

General Information:

• Dr. Marija Čolić: https://coe.hawaii.edu/sped/directory/colic

 

Show Notes:

• Anderson Center for Autism International Program: https://www.andersoncenterforautism.org/international

 

The Behaviour Speak Podcast Episodes Referenced:

• Episode 9: https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-9-behaviour-analysis-in-senegal-with-adair-cardon-ms-bcba 
• Episode 21: https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-21-the-effects-of-empathy-training-on-racial-bias-and-other-research-from-dr-victoria-suarez-phd-bcba-d 
• Episode 26: https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-26-smashing-the-patriarchy-a-conversation-about-sexism-and-privilege-in-behaviour-analysis-with-dr-natalia-baires-phd-bcba-d 

 

Articles Referenced:

• Čolić, M., Araiba, S., Lovelace, T. S., et al. (2021). Black caregivers’ perspectives on racism in ASD services: Toward culturally responsive ABA practice. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00577-5 
• Čolić, M. (2021). Clarification of stigma concepts in research with families of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2021.1989978 
• Čolić, M., Dababnah, S., & Milačić-Vidojević, I. (2021). A model of internalized stigma in parents of individuals with disabilities. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2021.1924032 
• Čolić, M., & Milačić-Vidojević, I. (2021). Perceived stigma among Serbian parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and children with physical disabilities: Validation of a new instrument. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51, 501–513. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04559-4 
• Čolić, M. & Milačić-Vidojević, I. (2020). Do Serbian parents of children with autism spectrum disorder experience a greater degree of stigma than parents of children with physical disabilities. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marija-Colic/publication/345716613_Do_Serbian_parents_of_children_with_autism_spectrum_disorder_experience_a_greater_degree_of_stigma_than_parents_of_children_with_physical_disabilities/links/5faba2ba299bf18c5b64cb38/Do-Serbian-parents-of-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-experience-a-greater-degree-of-stigma-than-parents-of-children-with-physical-disabilities.pdf 
• Čolić, M., Dababnah, S., Garbarino, N., & Betz, G. (2022). Parental experiences raising children with autism spectrum disorder in Eastern Europe: A scoping review. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 68(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2019.1688931
• Green, S. E. (2003). “What do you mean ‘what's wrong with her?’”: Stigma and the lives of families of children with disabilities. Social Science & Medicine, 57(8), 1361–1374. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(02)00511-7 
• Weinstein, J. H., Wilson, K. G., Drake, C. E., et al. (2008). A relational frame theory contribution to social categorization. Behavior and Social Issues, 17, 40–65. https://doi.org/10.5210/bsi.v17i1.406 

 

Podcasts to Check Out:

• Beautiful Humans: https://anchor.fm/beautiful-humans 
• Shades of ABA: https://anchor.fm/shadesofaba