General Ethics
Who can be impacted by unethical behavior?
Clients, Stakeholders, Yourself, Behavior analysis as a field
What are a few things that should be outlined in a supervision contract?
General standards, description of activities and goals, professional boundaries, feedback, termination of relationship.
James, a BCBA, finds out from one of their trainees that the on-site SLP yelled at a client for not sitting still when trying to teach them how to use their communication device. After a failed informal resolution with both the SLP and their supervisor, James begins to document the issue, creates a list of BACB ethics codes that are being violated, and prepares to submit the documentation to the BACB's website. What is wrong here?
BACB doesn't have jurisdiction for SLP's
Shirley, a BCBA, uses data from some of her current clients in a research study that she is conducting. Shirley has taken steps to ensure that the client's name and other personal information cannot be linked back to them. Both the clients and stakeholders have provided informed consent for the intervention that is being used; however, they were not aware that the client's data would be used in research. What code relates to this scenario?
(6.04 Informed Consent in Research.)
What are the four core principles of the ethics code?
Benefit Others, Treat others with compassion dignity and respect, behave with integrity, Ensure their competence
If your initial training is not sufficient for a trainee, what are some strategies you can use to improve performance?
Task Clarification, Repeat Modeling/Training, Manipulate Response effort
Selena, a BCBA, has recently been asked to take on a client who engages in property destruction and aggression towards others. Although her previous cases have typically been with clients who struggle with feeding disorders, Selena decides to take on the new case anyways. What are some steps that Selena can take to ensure that she is not practicing outside of her scope of competence?
Review literature, consult with other professionals, transition clients to a professional who has worked with property destruction/aggression
After meeting with their child's BCBA, the parents provide consent for an intervention strategy, and are later trained on how to implement the intervention at home. A few weeks later, the parents receive their first bill for services, and notice that they are being charged more than what they were initially told. After reaching out to the company, the parents are informed of a few fees that are added during initial assessments and parent training. The parents argue that they were not informed that those sessions would cost extra. What code relates to this scenario?
(2.07 Fees)
Why are multiple/dual relationships bad? What harms come with them?
Causing bias, clouding professional judgment, hinder services.
What are three reasons for why quality supervision is important?
It can improve client outcomes, supervision impacts the future of behavior analysis, can help to ensure ethical practice.
During a parent meeting, a BCBA asks the client's parents to leave a google review about the company and their experiences working with the BCBA. The client is still receiving services and will continue to receive services for at least another two months. Is asking for a review an issue, and why/why not?
Yes, implicit coercion/undue influence due to still receiving services
A BCBA works for a company that continues to take on clients regularly, even though they feel like they cannot handle the large caseloads. During a meeting, the BCBA was told that there would be no limit to the number of cases they will be expected to oversee and that the company will continue to accept all clients who are in need of services. What code relates to this scenario?
(3.03 Accepting Clients)
When posting on social media about your practice as a behavior analyst, what should be prioritized above everything else?
Client confidentiality.
Why should we collect data on trainee performance?
So that we can objectively evaluate their performance and ensure competency.
Jackie, an RBT, finds out that the interventions she is implementing in the clinic are older interventions that have lost empirical support in recent years. When questioning their supervisor, they are told that the interventions have worked for previous clients, and that there is no need to find new treatments. What is the issue with the supervisor's behavior?
Supervisor is not maintaining competence
During a meeting with a client’s parents, the parents complain that progress is not being made despite the client receiving services for the past three weeks. The BCBA apologizes and places the blame on one of their trainees, who is new to the field and is struggling to implement a procedure consistently and effectively. What code relates to this scenario?
(4.04 Accountability in Supervision)
Assuming there is no immediate risk to client or staff safety, what is the first step you should take before reporting an ethics violation to the BACB?
Attempt an informal resolution
What are two factors that should be considered when ending a supervisory relationship?
Is it due to a reason listed in the supervision contract, is there a transition plan for clients/trainees, final request for feedback, reflecting on outcome of supervision.
While shopping at a grocery store, Jesse, an RBT, sees one of their current clients and their mother. The mother approaches Jesse and says, "Oh hey, it's great to see you! My daughter was just talking about how yesterday went and how she enjoys working with you." Jesse freezes, and worries that they will break confidentiality by talking to the parent and client in a public setting. Would Jesse talking with the parent be an instance of breaking confidentiality?
No, this is not an ethics violation.
Taylor, a BCBA, just terminated supervision with one of their trainees, Sarah. Taylor stated that supervision is being terminated due to Sarah's 'inability to implement procedures consistently'. Due to the unexpected timing of the termination, Sarah is left without a supervisor, and two clients will have services paused until a new RBT can be moved to their case. What code relates to this scenario?
(4.12 Appropriately Terminating Supervision)