BAS Ethical Standards and Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A BCBA supervisor discovers that a supervisee has been billing for sessions that did not occur. What is the supervisor's ethical obligation?
- Ignore it if the supervisee is otherwise performing well
- Confront the supervisee privately and document the incident, then report to appropriate authorities if the behavior continues (Correct answer)
- Immediately terminate the supervisee without discussion
- Allow the supervisee to self-correct without intervention
Correct answer: Confront the supervisee privately and document the incident, then report to appropriate authorities if the behavior continues
Supervisors must address billing fraud directly, document findings, and escalate to appropriate authorities when necessary under BACB ethics code.
Question 2: Which scenario best illustrates a conflict of interest for a behavior analyst supervisor?
- Supervising a former client who is now a student (Correct answer)
- Providing supervision to multiple supervisees in the same organization
- Offering clinical consultation outside normal business hours
- Using the same data collection forms across different clients
Correct answer: Supervising a former client who is now a student
Supervising someone with whom the supervisor had a prior client relationship creates a dual relationship that constitutes a conflict of interest.
Question 3: When a supervisee disagrees with a supervisor's clinical recommendation, what is the ethically appropriate course of action for the supervisee?
- Implement the supervisee's own approach without informing the supervisor
- Express the disagreement through appropriate channels and follow the supervisor's direction unless it would cause harm (Correct answer)
- Refuse to implement any recommendations they personally disagree with
- Report the supervisor to the BACB immediately
Correct answer: Express the disagreement through appropriate channels and follow the supervisor's direction unless it would cause harm
Supervisees should voice disagreements professionally while still following supervisor direction, unless compliance would cause direct harm to a client.
Question 4: A behavior analyst is asked by a parent to write a letter of support for a custody dispute involving their child client. What should the analyst do?
- Write the letter since they know the child well
- Decline, as this falls outside the scope of professional competence and could harm the therapeutic relationship (Correct answer)
- Write the letter but limit it to behavioral observations only
- Consult with the other parent before deciding
Correct answer: Decline, as this falls outside the scope of professional competence and could harm the therapeutic relationship
Providing custody opinions exceeds the typical scope of a behavior analyst's professional competence and risks compromising the therapeutic relationship.
Question 5: Under the BACB ethics code, how long must behavior analysts retain client records?
- 1 year after service termination
- At least 7 years after service ends, or longer if required by law (Correct answer)
- Indefinitely for all clients
- 3 years after the client turns 18
Correct answer: At least 7 years after service ends, or longer if required by law
The BACB requires records to be maintained for at least 7 years post-service, with longer retention when mandated by applicable law.
Question 6: A supervisor is working with a client whose behaviors stem from a trauma history the supervisee is untrained in. What is the ethical obligation?
- Proceed with standard ABA procedures regardless of trauma history
- Consult with or refer to a trauma-informed professional and limit scope to areas of competence (Correct answer)
- Discharge the client as outside the scope of ABA
- Have the supervisee read about trauma before proceeding
Correct answer: Consult with or refer to a trauma-informed professional and limit scope to areas of competence
When a client's needs exceed current competence, behavior analysts must seek consultation, collaborate with qualified professionals, or refer accordingly.
Question 7: Which practice best protects client confidentiality when presenting a case at a professional conference?
- Using the client's first name only
- Obtaining written consent and de-identifying all identifying information (Correct answer)
- Getting verbal permission from the parent
- Only presenting data without any narrative description
Correct answer: Obtaining written consent and de-identifying all identifying information
Presenting client information publicly requires both written informed consent and removal of all identifying details to protect confidentiality.
BAS Ethical Standards and Practice 2
A BCBA supervisor discovers that a supervisee has been billing for sessions that did not occur.
What is the supervisor's ethical obligation?