BCAT Autism Spectrum Disorder Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to the DSM-5, the two core, defining domains of Autism Spectrum Disorder are:

Accepted Answer

Deficits in social communication and social interaction; and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

Answer

Language delays and intellectual disability.

Answer

Poor eye contact and difficulty with peer relationships.

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Sensory hypersensitivity and insistence on sameness.

Question 2

A client has successfully learned to request a cookie by saying "cookie" when they are in the kitchen with their BCAT. To promote generalization of this skill, what is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Teach the client to request a cookie when they are in different rooms of the house and when they are with other people, like parents or siblings.

Answer

Continue to practice requesting a cookie only in the kitchen to ensure the skill is fully mastered in that specific environment first.

Answer

Begin teaching the client to request a different food item, such as "juice," to expand their vocabulary.

Answer

Provide a more powerful reinforcer for requesting the cookie, such as giving two cookies instead of one.

Question 3

Which of the following statements is the most objective and appropriate for inclusion in a BCAT's session note?

Accepted Answer

When presented with the math worksheet, the client dropped to the floor and screamed for 3 minutes.

Answer

The client was very angry and aggressive because he didn't want to do his work.

Answer

The client had a great session and seemed much happier than yesterday.

Answer

The client was uncooperative and defiant for most of the session.

Question 4

A BCAT is starting with a new client. For the first few sessions, the technician spends time playing with the client's preferred toys, showing enthusiasm for their interests, and placing no demands. The primary goal of this activity is to:

Accepted Answer

Establish the technician as a reinforcer through a process called 'pairing'.

Answer

Assess the client's current play skills to write new goals.

Answer

Determine the function of any problem behaviors that may occur.

Answer

Teach the client how to share toys appropriately with an adult.

Question 5

A client's parents are very pleased with the BCAT's work and offer them a $50 gift card. According to the BACB's ethical code, what is the most appropriate action for the BCAT to take?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline, explaining that the ethics code prohibits accepting gifts to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Answer

Accept the gift, but report it to the supervising BCBA immediately.

Answer

Suggest they give the gift card to the entire clinical team to share.

Answer

Accept the gift, as it is a small token of appreciation and would be rude to refuse.

Question 6

During a discrete trial, the BCAT gives the instruction, "Touch your nose." When the client does not respond, the technician gently uses their hand to guide the client's hand to their nose. This level of assistance is an example of which type of prompt?

Accepted Answer

Physical prompt

Answer

Gestural prompt

Answer

Verbal prompt

Answer

Modeling prompt