Ethics and Professional Conduct Flashcards

A BCBA supervises a RBT who is also the primary caregiver for a client with severe problem behavior. During a session review, the BCBA notices the RBT has been implementing an unapproved consequence procedure that appears to be reducing the target behavior effectively. What is the MOST ethically appropriate immediate action?

Answer: Instruct the RBT to immediately discontinue the unapproved procedure and conduct a functional assessment to develop an approved alternative

The BACB Ethics Code requires BCBAs to ensure only approved, evidence-based procedures are implemented. An unapproved consequence procedure—regardless of apparent effectiveness—must be stopped immediately because it lacks proper functional assessment support, baseline data, risk analysis, and stakeholder consent. The BCBA must then follow proper channels to develop and approve an appropriate intervention. Effectiveness alone does not justify continued unauthorized implementation.

A BCBA is providing services to a 12-year-old client with autism. The parents request that the BCBA withhold the client's progress data from a court-appointed guardian who has legal oversight of the child's medical decisions, citing a contentious custody dispute. What should the BCBA do?

Answer: Provide the court-appointed guardian access to the records, as legal guardianship supersedes parental preference in this context

A court-appointed guardian with legal authority over medical decisions holds a legally recognized role that supersedes parental preference in this specific domain. The BACB Ethics Code requires BCBAs to identify who holds decision-making authority and to provide required disclosures to those parties. Withholding records from a legal guardian could constitute obstruction and violates the client's right to have their legally designated representative informed. Parental requests cannot override court-established legal authority.

During a supervision session, a supervisee discloses that they have been romantically involved with the parent of a former client whose services ended 14 months ago. The supervisee is now seeking guidance on whether this must be disclosed. Under BACB guidelines, which analysis is MOST accurate?

Answer: A 2-year post-service period must pass before personal relationships with former clients' family members are permissible; this relationship requires careful ethical review

The BACB Ethics Code extends restrictions on romantic or sexual relationships beyond the termination of services—the 2-year guideline applies to former clients and their family members. At 14 months post-termination, this relationship falls within the prohibited window and requires careful ethical scrutiny. The supervisee must evaluate whether the power differential, knowledge gained during the professional relationship, and potential for exploitation make the relationship ethically problematic. The distinction between client versus client's family member does not eliminate the ethical concern.

A BCBA-D working at a university is asked by a colleague from a different discipline to co-author a research paper. The BCBA-D contributed the study design and data collection but the colleague drafted the entire manuscript. When the paper is submitted, the colleague lists themselves as sole author. Which action MOST aligns with BACB ethical standards?

Answer: Raise the authorship concern directly with the colleague and, if unresolved, escalate to the journal editor or institutional research integrity office

The BACB Ethics Code requires accurate representation of professional contributions and prohibits misrepresentation in research and publication. The BCBA-D made substantive intellectual contributions (study design and data collection) that meet standard authorship criteria. Ethically, they must first attempt to resolve the dispute directly with the colleague. If unsuccessful, escalating to the journal editor or institutional research integrity office is the appropriate channel—these bodies have established procedures for authorship disputes. Unilateral self-addition or submitting a competing paper using the same dataset would create additional ethical violations.

A BCBA working in a school district is asked by an administrator to diagnose a student with an intellectual disability so the district can qualify for additional funding. The BCBA has conducted extensive assessments and believes the diagnosis is clinically appropriate. What is the MOST ethically correct course of action?

Answer: Decline to provide a formal diagnosis, as BCBAs are not licensed to diagnose intellectual disabilities, and refer to a qualified diagnostician

Diagnosing intellectual disabilities falls outside the scope of practice for BCBAs, regardless of clinical assessment skills or the appropriateness of the potential diagnosis. The BACB Ethics Code explicitly prohibits practitioners from claiming competencies or performing services outside their defined scope of practice. The BCBA must decline the diagnostic request and refer to a licensed psychologist or physician who holds the legal and clinical authority to make such diagnoses. Financial incentives for the school district do not expand the BCBA's scope of practice.

A BCBA receives a subpoena requiring disclosure of a client's full treatment records in a legal proceeding. The client's parent, who is also the legal guardian, explicitly instructs the BCBA not to release any records. What is the MOST appropriate response?

Answer: Consult with an attorney about the legal obligation, assert privilege on behalf of the client if applicable, and comply only with a court order if privilege is denied

A subpoena is a legal demand but does not automatically override privilege—the BACB Ethics Code requires practitioners to protect confidentiality to the extent permitted by law. The correct approach is to seek legal counsel immediately, determine whether a therapeutic or evidentiary privilege applies, and formally assert that privilege on the client's behalf if it does. Only if a court overrules the privilege claim should the BCBA comply with disclosure. Immediate compliance without asserting applicable privilege fails to advocate for the client's confidentiality rights. Selective release without legal guidance is also inappropriate.