ABA BACB Ethical Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A BCBA is working with a client whose goals have been mostly achieved. The client's family wants to continue services indefinitely as a precaution. What should the BCBA do?
- Continue services as requested to satisfy the family
- Discuss transition and discontinuation planning with the family and explain when services are no longer needed (Correct answer)
- Immediately terminate services without discussion
- Refer the case to a supervisor and take no further action
Correct answer: Discuss transition and discontinuation planning with the family and explain when services are no longer needed
The BACB Ethics Code requires BCBAs to discontinue services when they are no longer needed and to plan for transitions appropriately.
Question 2: A BCBA discovers that a colleague is misrepresenting data in progress reports. Under BACB ethics, what is the BCBA's primary obligation?
- Ignore it to avoid workplace conflict
- Report the concern through appropriate channels, such as the BACB or a supervisor (Correct answer)
- Confront the colleague publicly during a team meeting
- Document it privately and take no further action
Correct answer: Report the concern through appropriate channels, such as the BACB or a supervisor
BCBAs have an obligation to report ethical violations by colleagues to protect clients and the integrity of the profession.
Question 3: When a BCBA is asked to provide services outside their area of competence, which action aligns with BACB ethical standards?
- Accept the case and learn on the job
- Decline the services or seek supervision/training before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Provide services only if no other BCBA is available
- Delegate the case to a technician without further oversight
Correct answer: Decline the services or seek supervision/training before proceeding
BCBAs must only provide services within their demonstrated competence and seek training or refer out otherwise.
Question 4: A BCBA maintains a social media profile and a client's parent sends a friend request. According to BACB ethical standards, what is the most appropriate response?
- Accept the request to build rapport
- Decline and explain the professional boundary to the parent (Correct answer)
- Block the parent without explanation
- Ignore the request indefinitely
Correct answer: Decline and explain the professional boundary to the parent
BCBAs must maintain professional boundaries and avoid dual relationships, including social media connections with clients' families.
Question 5: Which scenario best illustrates a conflict of interest that a BCBA must disclose under the BACB Ethics Code?
- A BCBA recommends an ABA program they read about in a peer-reviewed journal
- A BCBA refers a client to a clinic in which the BCBA holds a financial interest (Correct answer)
- A BCBA consults with a colleague about treatment strategies
- A BCBA uses evidence-based interventions taught at a conference they attended
Correct answer: A BCBA refers a client to a clinic in which the BCBA holds a financial interest
Financial interests in referred services create a conflict of interest that must be disclosed to clients and stakeholders.
Question 6: Under BACB ethics, how must a BCBA handle a situation where a client's legal guardian and the treating physician disagree about the treatment plan?
- Follow only the physician's orders regardless of the guardian's wishes
- Ignore both parties and implement what the BCBA believes is best
- Work collaboratively with all parties to resolve the disagreement in the client's best interest (Correct answer)
- Withdraw from the case immediately
Correct answer: Work collaboratively with all parties to resolve the disagreement in the client's best interest
BCBAs must collaborate with relevant stakeholders and prioritize the client's welfare when resolving disagreements.
Question 7: A BCBA uses punishment-based procedures. According to BACB ethical standards, what is required before implementing such procedures?
- Punishment may be implemented immediately if deemed effective
- Positive approaches must be considered first and proper consent obtained (Correct answer)
- A psychologist must approve all punishment procedures
- Punishment procedures are never permissible under BACB ethics
Correct answer: Positive approaches must be considered first and proper consent obtained
BCBAs must exhaust or consider positive approaches and obtain informed consent before using punishment-based procedures.
ABA BACB Ethical Standards 2
A BCBA is working with a client whose goals have been mostly achieved.
The client's family wants to continue services indefinitely as a precaution.
What should the BCBA do?