BAS Supervision and Training 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A BCBA supervisor notices a supervisee consistently uses vague praise like 'good job' without specifying the behavior. What is the most appropriate supervisory response?
- Provide written reprimand and document the deficiency
- Model specific behavior-specific praise and have the supervisee practice with feedback (Correct answer)
- Reassign the supervisee to a different client
- Require the supervisee to retake introductory coursework
Correct answer: Model specific behavior-specific praise and have the supervisee practice with feedback
Modeling followed by practice with feedback (behavioral skills training) is the evidence-based method for correcting skill deficiencies in supervisees.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the purpose of conducting a task analysis during supervisee training?
- To assess the supervisee's academic knowledge of ABA principles
- To identify the discrete steps required to perform a complex skill correctly (Correct answer)
- To measure the supervisee's client outcomes over time
- To document billable supervision hours for insurance purposes
Correct answer: To identify the discrete steps required to perform a complex skill correctly
Task analysis breaks complex skills into discrete, teachable steps, allowing supervisors to train each component systematically.
Question 3: A supervisor is training a new RBT to implement discrete trial teaching. After instructions and modeling, the trainee attempts the skill incorrectly. What should the supervisor do FIRST?
- Provide immediate corrective feedback and re-model the correct procedure (Correct answer)
- Terminate the training session and reschedule
- Allow the trainee to self-correct without intervention
- Document the error and address it in a weekly meeting
Correct answer: Provide immediate corrective feedback and re-model the correct procedure
Immediate corrective feedback paired with re-modeling prevents the trainee from rehearsing errors and accelerates skill acquisition.
Question 4: According to BACB guidelines, which factor should primarily determine the frequency of supervision contact?
- The supervisee's preference for meeting frequency
- The complexity of the cases and the supervisee's current competency level (Correct answer)
- The availability of the supervisor's schedule
- The number of billable hours the supervisee works
Correct answer: The complexity of the cases and the supervisee's current competency level
BACB guidelines specify that supervision frequency should be individualized based on case complexity and supervisee skill level.
Question 5: A supervisor wants to assess whether an RBT has acquired a new skill to fluency. Which measurement approach is most appropriate?
- A written multiple-choice test on the procedure
- Direct observation measuring both accuracy and rate of performance (Correct answer)
- A self-report checklist completed by the RBT
- A role-play rated only on overall impression
Correct answer: Direct observation measuring both accuracy and rate of performance
Fluency requires both accuracy and an adequate rate of responding, so direct observation measuring both dimensions is necessary.
Question 6: When designing a staff training program, a supervisor wants to maximize generalization of new skills. Which strategy best promotes this outcome?
- Training exclusively in a simulated clinic environment
- Using multiple exemplars across varied settings, materials, and trainers (Correct answer)
- Providing written manuals as the primary training medium
- Conducting all training sessions with the same trainer in the same room
Correct answer: Using multiple exemplars across varied settings, materials, and trainers
Multiple-exemplar training across varied stimuli, settings, and trainers promotes generalization of learned skills to novel contexts.
Question 7: A BCBA supervisor realizes she has inadvertently created a dual relationship with a supervisee by becoming close friends outside of work. What is the most ethical course of action?
- Continue the supervision relationship since friendship is unavoidable in small professional communities
- Immediately terminate supervision without transition planning
- Address the boundary issue transparently, consult with a colleague, and consider transferring supervision if objectivity is compromised (Correct answer)
- Reduce supervision hours to minimize interaction
Correct answer: Address the boundary issue transparently, consult with a colleague, and consider transferring supervision if objectivity is compromised
BACB ethics require supervisors to address dual relationships proactively, consult as needed, and transfer supervision if professional objectivity cannot be maintained.
BAS Supervision and Training 2
A BCBA supervisor notices a supervisee consistently uses vague praise like 'good job' without specifying the behavior.
What is the most appropriate supervisory response?