BCAT Ethical and Legal Considerations 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A BCaT notices that session data has been altered in the client's file to show better outcomes. The most appropriate response is to:
- Assume it was a clerical error and correct it without reporting
- Report the concern to the supervising BCBA and document the discrepancy (Correct answer)
- Alter the remaining data to be consistent with the changed records
- Ignore it since data entry is not the BCaT's primary responsibility
Correct answer: Report the concern to the supervising BCBA and document the discrepancy
Data integrity is essential for ethical practice; BCaTs must report any suspected falsification of records to their supervisor immediately.
Question 2: The concept of 'least restrictive intervention' in ABA ethics means:
- Always using only positive reinforcement regardless of client safety
- Selecting interventions that achieve behavior change with minimal intrusion to client rights (Correct answer)
- Avoiding all forms of behavior reduction procedures
- Using the intervention that requires the least staff effort
Correct answer: Selecting interventions that achieve behavior change with minimal intrusion to client rights
Least restrictive intervention requires choosing the most effective approach that minimizes restrictions on client autonomy and involves the fewest negative side effects.
Question 3: A client discloses to a BCaT that they are being bullied at school. The BCaT should:
- Keep the disclosure confidential since the client shared it privately
- Document the disclosure and report it to the supervising BCBA (Correct answer)
- Contact the school directly without consulting the supervisor
- Advise the client on how to handle bullying without informing others
Correct answer: Document the disclosure and report it to the supervising BCBA
BCaTs must document and report client disclosures that may affect welfare to their supervising BCBA, who can then coordinate the appropriate response.
Question 4: A BCaT's certification requires maintaining how many continuing education units (CEUs) per renewal cycle?
- 8 CEUs every 2 years (Correct answer)
- 10 CEUs per year
- 15 CEUs every 3 years
- 20 CEUs every 2 years
Correct answer: 8 CEUs every 2 years
BCAT certification requires 8 CEUs per 2-year renewal cycle to ensure technicians maintain current knowledge and skills.
Question 5: When a client reaches the age of majority (typically 18), who must provide informed consent for continued ABA services?
- The client's parents, as they are most familiar with the case
- The client themselves, unless they have a legal guardian (Correct answer)
- The supervising BCBA on behalf of the treatment team
- The funding agency or insurance company
Correct answer: The client themselves, unless they have a legal guardian
Upon reaching the age of majority, the client has the legal right to consent to their own treatment unless a court has appointed a legal guardian.
Question 6: A BCaT who disagrees with a treatment goal included in a client's behavior plan should:
- Modify the goal during implementation to reflect their own clinical judgment
- Refuse to implement the plan until the goal is changed
- Raise concerns professionally with the supervising BCBA through appropriate channels (Correct answer)
- Implement the plan while documenting personal disagreement in the session notes
Correct answer: Raise concerns professionally with the supervising BCBA through appropriate channels
BCaTs should voice clinical disagreements professionally with their supervisor rather than unilaterally modifying or refusing to implement approved behavior plans.
Question 7: Which federal law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal funding and requires reasonable accommodations?
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Correct answer)
- IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
- Fair Housing Act
Correct answer: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits disability discrimination in federally funded programs and mandates reasonable accommodations.
BCAT Ethical and Legal Considerations 4
A BCaT notices that session data has been altered in the client's file to show better outcomes.
The most appropriate response is to: