- Applied Behavior Analysis Ethics and Professional Conduct Questions and Answers Flashcards

A BCBA supervising an RBT discovers that the RBT has been implementing a token economy with a client but has been awarding tokens inconsistently—sometimes giving tokens for behaviors not specified in the treatment plan—because the client becomes upset when they don't receive one. The RBT believes this prevents meltdowns and is in the client's best interest. What is the BCBA's most ethically appropriate immediate action?

Answer: Address the procedural drift directly with the RBT, document the conversation, retrain on the exact token economy protocol, and increase observation frequency

The BCBA is responsible for ensuring supervisees implement interventions with fidelity. The correct response is to address the drift directly, provide retraining, document the corrective steps, and increase monitoring—not to suspend the RBT (disproportionate for a first offense), retroactively validate the unauthorized change, or alarm the family before addressing the issue internally first.

A behavior analyst working in a school consults on a student with severe self-injurious behavior (SIB). The IEP team, including the parents, unanimously requests a punishment-based procedure as the primary intervention without first attempting function-based alternatives. The behavior analyst believes a functional approach should precede punishment. According to the BACB Ethics Code, how should the analyst proceed?

Answer: Recommend and attempt to implement the least restrictive, function-based interventions first, documenting the team's position, while continuing to advocate for the ethical sequence of treatment

The Ethics Code requires behavior analysts to recommend the least restrictive procedures and ensure that more restrictive interventions are used only after less restrictive alternatives have been tried or considered. Consent alone does not override this obligation. The analyst must document disagreement and continue advocating while remaining involved to protect the client—abandonment would also be unethical.

A BCBA in private practice completes a comprehensive assessment for a child with ASD and determines that 30 hours per week of ABA therapy is clinically warranted. The child's insurance plan authorizes only 10 hours per week. The parents ask the BCBA to document 'moderate impairment' rather than 'severe impairment' on future progress notes to avoid insurance scrutiny while receiving fewer hours. What is the MOST ethically defensible course of action?

Answer: Document accurately based on clinical data, provide the parents with guidance on appealing the insurance decision, and offer to supply additional supporting documentation for the appeal

Falsifying clinical documentation to manipulate insurance decisions constitutes fraud and violates the Ethics Code's requirements for truthful reporting. The analyst must maintain accurate records and can ethically support the family through the appeals process with truthful, thorough documentation—this serves the client's best interest without compromising professional integrity.

A behavior analyst has been working with a client for two years when the analyst's employer merges with another agency. The new organization requires all behavior analysts to use a proprietary, standardized curriculum that the analyst believes is not individualized enough for several of their clients. The analyst has raised concerns with management twice without resolution. Which action BEST reflects ethical obligations under the BACB Ethics Code?

Answer: Formally document ongoing concerns, attempt to negotiate individualized components within the allowed framework, and if the situation remains irresolvable, take steps to transition clients to appropriate services

When organizational practices conflict with ethical obligations, analysts must document concerns, exhaust internal resolution channels, and if the conflict cannot be resolved, take steps to protect clients—including facilitating appropriate transitions. Covert noncompliance is dishonest, and immediate abandonment without transition planning harms clients. The analyst must not simply comply with harmful practices.

During a home visit, an RBT observes what appears to be a bruise pattern on a client that is inconsistent with the parent's explanation. The parent is present during sessions and has always been cooperative. The RBT is unsure whether to report, fearing it will damage the therapeutic relationship and may be wrong. The supervising BCBA is unavailable by phone. What should the RBT do?

Answer: Contact the BCBA through all available channels (text, email, agency emergency line) and if truly unreachable, follow mandatory reporting obligations independently without waiting

RBTs are mandated reporters in most jurisdictions, and mandatory reporting obligations are not contingent on supervisor availability. The RBT must make reasonable attempts to reach the supervisor but cannot delay a legally and ethically required report. Waiting for supervision, requiring certainty before reporting, or consulting informally with colleagues are all inconsistent with mandatory reporting requirements designed to protect vulnerable clients.

A BCBA who specializes in pediatric ABA is asked by a former client's family (services ended 14 months ago) to provide ABA services to a new sibling recently diagnosed with ASD. The BCBA has a strong prior relationship with the family. According to the BACB Ethics Code's guidance on multiple relationships, what is the MOST accurate characterization of this situation?

Answer: This requires careful evaluation: the BCBA must assess whether the prior relationship creates a risk of harm, exploitation, or compromised objectivity before accepting, and should document this analysis

The BACB Ethics Code does not impose a blanket prohibition or a mandatory waiting period for this scenario. Instead, it requires that behavior analysts avoid multiple relationships that could impair objectivity or risk exploitation. Accepting the sibling as a client involves a pre-existing relationship with the family, which could create role confusion or boundary issues. The analyst must proactively evaluate these risks, document the analysis, and proceed only if they can serve the new client with full objectivity—or decline if they cannot.