Ethical and Professional Conduct Flashcards
7 cards from real ABAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethical and Professional Conduct flashcards as text
A BCBA's client is a minor whose parents are divorced. Both parents have legal custody. One parent consents to a new intervention; the other objects. What should the BCBA do?
Answer: Withhold the intervention until both custodial parents provide consent or a legal resolution is reached
When both parents share legal custody, obtaining consent from both is necessary; proceeding without full agreement risks ethical and legal violations.
Which of the following is an example of a BCBA appropriately maintaining professional boundaries?
Answer: Declining social media friend requests from current clients and their families
Declining social media connections with current clients helps maintain clear professional boundaries and protects client confidentiality.
Under the BACB Ethics Code, what must a BCBA do before discontinuing services with a client?
Answer: Ensure continuity of care by providing referrals and transition planning to avoid client abandonment
BCBAs must take steps to ensure continuity of care, including transition planning and referrals, to prevent abandonment when discontinuing services.
A BCBA is asked by an employer to implement a behavior plan that, in the BCBA's professional judgment, could cause harm to the client. The employer insists. What should the BCBA do?
Answer: Refuse to implement the plan and document the refusal, escalating if necessary
BCBAs are obligated to protect clients from harm and must refuse to implement procedures they believe are harmful, regardless of employer directives.
Which statement about the BCBA's responsibility regarding cultural humility is most accurate according to professional standards?
Answer: BCBAs should actively seek to understand and incorporate clients' cultural backgrounds into individualized service delivery
The BACB Ethics Code requires BCBAs to consider cultural, linguistic, and individual differences when designing and delivering services.
A BCBA realizes mid-case that the presenting problem falls outside their area of competence. What is the ethical obligation?
Answer: Disclose the limitation to the client and refer to or consult with a qualified professional
BCBAs must practice only within their areas of competence and must disclose limitations, referring to qualified professionals when a case exceeds their expertise.
A BCBA is subpoenaed for records related to a client's legal case. The client has not provided authorization to release records. What should the BCBA do first?
Answer: Consult with legal counsel before releasing any records to understand obligations and client protections
Consulting with legal counsel before responding to a subpoena helps BCBAs navigate the tension between legal compliance and ethical confidentiality obligations.