FREE BCAT Autism Spectrum Disorder Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to the DSM-5, a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder requires the presence of persistent deficits in which two core domains?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) outlines two primary criteria for an ASD diagnosis: 1) Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, and 2) Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. While other listed symptoms can be associated with ASD, they are not the two core diagnostic domains.

Question 2

A BCAT is trying to identify potential reinforcers for a new client. The technician presents two items at a time (e.g., a toy car and a book) and records which item the client chooses. This process is repeated with various pairs of items until all items have been paired together. This procedure is best described as a:

Accepted Answer

Paired-stimulus preference assessment

Answer

A paired-stimulus preference assessment, also known as a forced-choice assessment, involves presenting two items simultaneously and requiring the learner to choose one. This method is useful for creating a hierarchy of preferences. Free operant involves observing the client in a natural environment, MSWO involves presenting an array of items and removing the chosen one, and single stimulus involves presenting one item at a time.

Question 3

A client's parents are very pleased with their child's progress and offer the BCAT a $100 gift card as a thank you. According to the BACB's ethical guidelines, what is the most appropriate action for the BCAT to take?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline the gift, explaining that ethical guidelines prevent the acceptance of gifts to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Answer

The BACB Ethics Code explicitly states that behavior analysts do not give or accept gifts from clients to avoid creating multiple relationships and conflicts of interest. The most professional and ethical response is to politely decline and explain the policy. The current code allows for gifts under a nominal value (e.g., $10), but a $100 gift card far exceeds this and must be declined.

Question 4

During a play-based session in a client's living room, the technician notices the client is interested in a toy train. The technician uses this opportunity to teach the client to say 'choo choo' and 'go'. This approach, which embeds teaching into naturally occurring activities, is best known as:

Accepted Answer

Natural Environment Teaching (NET)

Answer

Natural Environment Teaching (NET) involves using the client's current motivations and activities in their natural environment to teach skills. This contrasts with DTT, which is a more structured, instructor-led approach that often occurs in a controlled setting. Task analysis is the process of breaking a skill down, and errorless learning is a prompting strategy, not an overall teaching methodology.

Question 5

A BCAT is implementing a behavior plan for a client who frequently engages in loud screaming. The data consistently show that the screaming occurs almost exclusively when the technician is attending to another client or completing paperwork. The screaming immediately stops when the technician provides attention. What is the most likely function of the client's screaming behavior?

Accepted Answer

Attention

Answer

The function of a behavior is the reason why it occurs. In this scenario, the behavior (screaming) is reliably followed by a specific consequence (technician attention), and it occurs when that attention is removed. This pattern strongly indicates that the behavior is maintained by gaining attention from others.

(BCAT) Board Certified Autism Technician Practice Test

(BCAT) Board Certified Autism Technician Practice Test

FREE BCAT Autism Spectrum Disorder Questions and Answers