section 10 Flashcards
3 fundamental questions of ethical
Practice
What is the right thing to do??
What is worth doing???
What does it mean to be a good behavior analyst??
Social validity
Not every skill has social validity.
Needs to be socially acceptable for their age group
3 reasons why we abide by ethic
MHS
Meaningful change
Harm- reduce/eliminate harm
Standards- written guideline for ethical standards
5 documents describe standards of professional conduct and ethical practice for ABA
Task list
Code
Education - right to effective education 1990
Psychologist
Behavioral treatment - right to effective behavioral treatment 1989
Professional and ethical compliance code for behavior analyst
The cod
Effective Jan 1 2016
2 parts
- 10 sections that are relevant to professional and ethical behavior of analysts
- Glossary
They consolidated, updated, and replaced two of their old ethical documents - the professional disciplinary and ethical standards and the guidelines for responsible conduct for behavior analysts
1.0 responsible conduct of behavior analysts
Maintain high standards of behavior of the profession-
If you are a BCBA, BCaBA, authorized by the BACB etc…
1.01 reliance on scientific knowledge
You rely on professionally derived knowledge based on science and behavior analysis and making scientific or professional judgment and human service provision, when engaging in scholarly, or a professional endeavors
1.02 boundaries of competence
To become competent new areas get the right training first
You were only allowed to provide services, teach, or conduct research within the boundaries of your competence
1.03 Maintaining competence through professional development
You must maintain knowledge of current scientific and professional information in your areas of practice and undertake ongoing efforts to maintain competence in the skills you use
4 methods of maintaining professional competence
CLAC
C- CEUS
L-literature- read most updated, evidence
Based research
A- additional coursework if needed
C- conferences/workshops - attend them
1.04 integrity
You are truthful and honest and arrange the environment to promote truthful and honest behavior and others
Your behavior confirms to legal and ethical codes of the social and professional community of which you are a member
1.05 professional and scientific relationships
You provide behavior-analytic services only in the context of a defined, professional, or scientific relationship or role.
You use language that is understandable and provide appropriate information prior to service delivery about the nature of your services
If differences in age, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation. Disability, language, or socioeconomic status significantly affect your work get the proper training or make the appropriate referrals.
Do not engage in discrimination, do not harrass or demean others
Recognize when your own personal issues interfere with your work and refrain form providing services
1.06 multiple relationships and conflicts if interest
Dual relationships
Avoided multiple relationships - that’s means that you can’t be in Both a behavior-analytic role and a non-behavior analytic role with someone at the same time
Do not accept gifts from clients
Extra information on conflicts of interest
When a principal party alone or in connection with family friends or associates as a vested interest in the outcome of the interaction
Guard against crossing any professional or personal boundaries
1.07 exploitative relationships
Do not exploit persons of whom you have supervisory, evaluative, or other authority over- like students, employees, clients…..
Don’t have sex with them - duh and eww…
If you did want to date your clients, students, or supervises you have to wait two years after the professional relationship has ended… and again eww…
Also don’t barter for services- unless a written agreement is in place for the barter
So do not barter unless it’s in writing and client request it and it’s customary in the area where you provide the service
The codes definition of a client
Refers to any recipient or beneficiary of the professional service provided by the behavior analyst
Includes but is not limited to
Direct recipient of the service
Parents, relatives, legal guardians, or legal representative of the person getting services
The employer, agency representative, institutional representative, or third-party contractor for the services of the behavior analyst
Any other individual that is known beneficiary of the services for the person
The term client does not include
Third-party insurance or payers, unless you were hired directly under contract by the third party insurer or payer
2.0 Behavior analyst responsibility to clients
You have a responsibility to operate in the best interest of your client
Client includes
Individual person
Parent/guardian of service representative
Organizational representative
Public or private organization, a firm, or a corporation
2.01 Accepting clients
You may only accept clients whose services requested are commensurate with
Your education. Your training Your experience If you have the available resources Organizational policies
If you don’t then either you can seek out the appropriate training and supervision needed or you refer them to someone else who does have that training already
2.02 Responsibility
Your responsibility is to all parties affected by behavior analytic services. When multiple parties are involved create a hierarchy
2.03 Consultation
Arrange for appropriate consultations and referrals based on the best interest of your client with appropriate consent abiding by applicable laws and contractual obligation’s
Example referral for a client with depression and suicidal ideation’s - refer them to a psychologist or psychiatrist
Also make sure you work appropriately with other professionals
2.04 third party involvement in services
When you agreed to provide services to a party or entity at the request of a third-party you
Clarify the nature of the relationship
Also clarify
Your role
Limits of confidentiality
The probable use for the services you provide or the information you obtain
Potential conflicts
Do all this before services begin (outset)
If there is a foreseeable risk of you being called upon to perform conflicting rolls because of a third-party you clarify the nature and direction of your responsibility, keep all parties in formed, resolve the situation in accordance to this code
The codes definition of service record
The client service record includes but is not limited to written behavior change plans, assessments, graphs, raw data, electronic recordings, progress summaries, and written reports
When a third-party makes request for services that go against your recommendations
You are obligated to resolve such conflicts in the best interest of your client. If the conflict cannot be resolved you may discontinue services to your client following an appropriate transition
2.05 Rights and prerogatives of clients
Rights and prerogatives clients refers to human rights, legal rights, rights codified within behavior analysis, and organizational and administrative rules and regulations designed to benefit the client
When asked you must provide an accurate and current set of your credentials
You must have written permission for electronic recording of interviews and service delivery sessions
You must provide clients in service with knowledge on how to Lodge complaints about your practice- how to your employer, the appropriate authorities, abs the BACB
You also much submit to background checks
2.06 Maintaining confidentiality
You discuss confidentiality at the outset of your relationship in there after as new circumstances may warrant
Do not share anything on social media about your clients- like pictures, names factual information
Extra information on confidentiality
Confidentiality is an ethical but also legal issue in some states
Make sure you know your state and or countries individual rules
When service to a client begins the limits to confidentiality must be fully explained
Make sure they know you are required to report child abuse, eminent severe harm to another or eminent severe harm to the person themself
Yes specific forms for reporting deliberate breeches in confidentiality
Actions to protect confidentiality
Requiring passwords on computers, locking files, not transmitting information wirelessly if it’s not encrypted, confirming the person status as a surrogate or legal guardian before giving out information about the client
2.07
Maintaining records
You must maintain and dispose of records in accordance with the laws, regulations, corporate policies, and organizational policies, and in a manner that permits compliance with the requirements of this code
Depending on your state and federal law you may be required to maintain client records for 1 to 7 or more years
2.08 Disclosures
For mandated or permitted legal reasons why you were disclose confidential information without consent
CPPS
Consultation
Protect- the client or others from harm
Payment- to obtain payment for services
Services- to provide needed professional services to the individual or organizational client
The parameters of consent for disclosure get them at the outside of the relationship and remember that it is an ongoing procedure throughout the professional relationship
2.09 Treatment/intervention efficacy
Clients have the right to an effective treatment based on research literature in adapted to the individual client
You advocate for the appropriate amount in level of service and oversight that is needed to meet the behavior change program goals
When one or more scientifically support a treatment has been established consider the efficiency and cost effectiveness, risk and side effects of the interventions, client preference, and practitioner experience and training when selecting which to use
The codes definition of a behavior change program
The behavior change program is a formal, written document that best describes and technological detail every assessment and treatment task necessary to achieve stated goals
2.10 Documenting professional work and research
Document your professional work to facilitate provision of services later by you or by other professionals, ensuring accountability, and meet other requirements of organizations or the law
2.11
Records and data
You create, maintain, disseminate, store, retain, and dispose of records and data relating to your research, practice, and other work in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies in a manner that permits compliance with this code and in a manner that allows for appropriate transition of service oversight at any moment in time
You must retain records and data for at least seven years
Extra information on maintaining records
According to the APA ethical principle of psychologist and code of conduct records must be kept in a secure area.
A Release must be obtained to attain or give records
Records disposal should be complete shredding is best
Well-maintained records facilitate the provision of future services, meet agency or institutional requirements, ensure accurate billing, allow for future research, and comply with legal requirements
According to HIPAA, electronic transmission of confidential records across any unsecure medium is prohibited
2.12 Contracts, fees, and financial arrangements
Before services begin make sure you have
A signed co react
A review of the scope of services you provide
Your obligations under this code
Make sure your fee practices are consistent with law and you do not misrepresent your fees
Make sure they know if there are any funding limitations that could affect them and when funding circumstances change you must revisit that with your client as well
2.13 Accuracy in billing reports
When billing for your services you
Accurately state the nature of the services provided
The fees or charges
The identity of the provider
Relevant outcomes and other required information
2.14 Referrals and fees
If you give or take a referral you must not receive a provide money gifts her other enticements
also make sure you provide multiple options in your referrals
2.15 Interrupting or discontinuing services
Avoid interruption or disruption of services
In the event of unplanned interruptions like illness or relocation make sure you facilitate the continuation of their services in a timely manner
If your Employment or contractual relationship is ending make sure there was an orderly inappropriate resolution of your responsibility for services with welfare given to your client
Discontinue services only after you have made efforts to transition them
When do you discontinue services
When they no longer need services
When no one is benefiting from them
If they’re being harmed by the service
If they’ve requested discontinuation
3.0 assessing behavior
If you use behavior analytic assessment techniques do you so for appropriate purposes given current research
3.01 behavior analytic assessment
Conduct assessments prior to making recommendations or developing behavior change programs
Conduct a functional
Assessment before developing a plan
Determine the type of assessment you will use based on the clients needs and consent, environmental parameters, contextual variables, and the codes definition of a functional assessment
The codes definition of functional assessment
Aka Functional behavior assessment
Procedures used to formally assess the possible environmental causes of the problem behavior
Informant assessments ( indirect- interviews, rating scales)
Direct observation in the natural environment
Experimental functional analysis
3.02 medical consultation
Recommend seeking a medical consultation if there is any reasonable possibility that A referred behavior is influenced by medical or biological variables
3.03 behavior analytic assessment consent
Prior to contacting in assessment you must explain to the client what procedure will be used, who will participate, and how the information will be used. You must get written approval before implementing them
3.04 Explaining assessment results
Use language and graphic displays of data that are reasonably understandable to the clients
3.05 Consent for client records
Before disclosures you must obtain the written consent of the client to obtain records from other sources for assessment purposes
4.0 Behavior analyst and the behavior change program
You are responsible for all aspects of the behavior change program from the conceptualization to the implementation and ultimately to the discontinuation
Termination criteria
Generate termination criteria for your client and starting a behavior change program
4.01 Conceptual consistency
Design behavior change programs that are conceptually consistent with behavior analytic principles
This means that your work is consistent with the concepts of our field
4.02 Involving clients in planning and consent
You involve the client in the planning of and consent for behavior change programs
4.03 Individualized behavior change programs
You must Tailor behavior change programs to the unique behaviors, environmental variables, assessment results, and goals of each client
Do you not plagiarize other professionals behavior change programs
4.04 Approving behavior change programs
Before you implement or make significant modifications in the clients Program you must obtain the client written approval
4.05 Describing behavior change program objectives
Risk benefit analysis
Aka- Cost benefit analysis, cost benefit ratio
You must conduct a risk benefit analysis on the procedures to be implemented to reach the objective
Before you choose procedures to use with your client research there are risks versus their benefits
It’s like making a pros versus cons list
The codes definition of risk benefit analysis
A risk benefit analysis is the deliberate evaluation of the potential risks (limitations , side effects , cost) and benefits (treatment , outcomes , efficiency , savings ) associated with given intervention
Translation the risk and benefits of your procedure are compared
Eight general risk factor questions to ask yourself
- What is the nature of the behavior
- Are there enough staff to implement the procedure
- Is the mediator trained appropriately
- Is the setting appropriate for the procedure
- Do you have experience with this procedure
- Is there any potential risks to others from these procedures
- Is everyone on board to implement the procedure
- Is there any liability to you as a BC BA
4.06 Describing conditions for behavior change program success
You tell the client about the environmental conditions that are necessary for the behavior change program to be effective
These are the conditions to help you attain behavior change program success
4.07 Environmental conditions that interfere with implementation
If the environmental conditions prevent your program from being implemented you recommend that other professional assistance be sought
This means assessment, consultation, or therapeutic intervention by other professionals
If they’re not on board for your plan then try Plan B
Plan a is to have a meeting with all parties involved in retrain them as needed
Plan B is to recommend family therapy tonight them to collectively work on implementing the plan
If the environmental conditions hinder your program from being implemented you seek to Eliminate the environmental constraints
identify in writing the obstacles to fix the environment
4.08 Considerations regarding punishment procedures
always recommend reinforcement rather than punishment whenever possible
If punishment procedures are necessary you always include reinforcement procedures for alternative behavior in the behavior change program
Before implementing punishment based procedures ensure that appropriate steps have been taken to implement reinforcement base procedures unless the severity or dangerousness of the behavior necessitates immediate use of aversive procedures
When you use aversive procedures you must give an increased level of training, supervision, and oversight
4.09 Least restrictive procedures
Aka
Least restrictive alternatives
You review and appraise the restrictiveness of procedures and always recommend the least restrictive procedures likely to be affective
Definition of a restrictive procedure
A procedure that restricts someone’s movement and/ or activity, ability to acquire positive reinforcement, access to valued objects and /or activities
4.10 Avoiding harmful reinforcers
You minimize the use of items as potential reinforcers that may be harmful to the health and development of the client
Ex. Don’t use cigarettes, alcohol, fatty foods
Don’t deprive them of water etc…
4.11 Discontinuing behavior change programs and behavior analytic services
How you discontinue programming with your client
Establish understandable objective criteria for the discontinuation of your program
Describe the discontinuation criteria to your client
When the established criteria for discontinuation are attained discontinue services (when the agreed upon goals are met)
5.0 Behavior analyst as supervisors
When you are functioning as a supervisor, you must take full responsibility for all facets of this undertaking
You now are required to complete an eight hour supervision training- supervisor training curriculum outline- and 3 CEUs in supervision each certificate cycle
5.01 Supervisory competence
You supervise only within your areas of defined competence
Competence is defined by the types of specific training and supervision the professionals have had
5.02 Supervisory volume
Only supervise the amount of people that allows you to be affective there is no set number
5.03 Supervisory delegation
You only delegate the responsibilities that they can reasonably be expected for o perform competently
If you’re supervisee does not have the necessary skills you provide conditions for the acquisitions of those skills and you observe your supervisee
5.04 Designing effective supervision in training
You ensure that supervision and trainings are behavior analytic and content, effectively and ethically designed, and meet the requirements for licensure, certification, or other define goals
5.05 Communication of supervision conditions
Prior to the onset of supervision provide a clear written description of the purpose, requirements, evaluation criteria, conditions, and terms of supervision
5.06 Providing feedback to supervisees
Design feedback and reinforcement systems in a way that improves supervisee performance, provide documented timely feedback regarding the performance of supervisees on an ongoing basis
5.07 Evaluating the effects of supervision
Design systems for obtaining Ongoing evaluation of your own supervision activities
6.0Behavior analyst ethical responsibility to the professional behavior analysis
You have an obligation to the science of behavior and the profession of behavior analysis.
6.01Affirming principles
Above all other professional training you uphold in advance the values, ethics, and principles of the profession of behavior analysis
6.02 Disseminating behavior analysis
You promote behavior analysis by asking information about it available to the public through presentations, discussions, and other media.
7.0 behavior analysts ethical responsibilities to colleagues
You work with colleagues within the profession of behavior analysis and from Other professions and must be aware of these ethical obligations in all situations.
You are a mandatory reporter of abuse - if you have first hand evidence
7.01 promoting an ethical culture
You promote an ethical culture in your work environments abs make others aware of the code
Act ethically at all times
Manage other professionals and your staff to act ethically as well
7.02 ethical violations by others and risk of harm
If you believe there may be a legal or ethical violation your first determine whether there is potential for harm, a possible legal violation, a mandatory reporting condition, or an agency, organization, or regulatory requirement addressing the violation
if a clients legal rights are being violated or if there is potential for harm, you must take the necessary action to protect the client.
including but not limited to:
contacting relevant authorities,
following organizational policies,
consulting with appropriate professionals
and documenting your efforts to address the matter
- 0 public statements
8. 01 avoiding false or deceptive statements
You do not make public statements that are false, deceptive, misleading, exaggerated, or fraudulent- either because of what you state, convey, or suggest or because of what you omit concerning your research, practice, or other work activities or those of persons or organizations with which you are affiliated.
8.02 intellectual property
You obtain permission to use trademark or copyrighted materials required by law
This included copy right symbols on materials that recognize the intellectual property of others
When delivering lectures, workshops, or other presentations give credit to authors
8.03 statements by others
If you engage others to promote your professional practice, products, or activities publicly, you are responsible for their statements
Make sure you try to prevent them from making deceptive statements about your practice - if they do correct it ASAP.
If you paid for the advertisement make sure it identifies as paid
8.04 Media presentations and media-based services
If you use electronica media obtain and maintain knowledge regarding the security and limitations of electronica media in order to adhere to this code
When you make a public statement or deliver presentations using electronica media do not disclose personal identifiable information concerning your clients, supervisees, students, research participants, or other recipients of your services that you obtained during the course of your work unless you got their written consent
When you provide public statements advice or comments by means of public lectures, demonstrations, radio or television programs, electronica media, articles, mailed material, or other media, you take reasonable precautions to ensure that your statements are:
based on appropriate analytic behavior literature and practice
The statements are otherwise consistent with this code
The advice or comment does not create an agreement for Service with the recipient
8.05 testimonials and advertising
You do not solicit or use testimonials about services from current clients republication on your webpages or in any other electronic or print materials
If you use then; use former clients and they must identify if they were unsolicited or solicited
You may advertise
The evidence based services you provide
Describing the qualifications of your staff
Describing objective outcome data you have accrued or published, in accordance with applicable laws.
8.06 in person solicitation
You do not engage in uninvited in person solicitation of business from actual or potential users of services who, because of their particular circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence
9.0 behavior analyst and research
You design, conduct, abs report research in accordance with recognized standards of scientific competence and ethical research.
