WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE?

MEET THE CLIENTS…

Behavior analysis encompasses a wide range of clients (“consumers”) ranging from very low functioning, multiply physically handicapped, developmentally disabled individuals to high functioning children with autism and adults to corporate supervisors, managers, and chief executive officers.

A COMMITMENT TO SCIENCE

Only human services approach that requires the treatment itself and not just the practice, use scientific methods. Methodology is founded in single-subject design research

where individuals serve as their own control

“Evidence-based Treatment” Recent catch phrase in fields of

psychology/medicine Standard procedure for BA’s for over 40 years

Must keep up with recent research literature Studies MUST meet rigorous peer-reviewed standards

including a clear demonstration of exp. Control BA’s must keep up with developments in their specialty to

meet expectation of excellence in BACB guidelines

PERSONAL INPUT

Some adjustments may need to be made to a treatment so that it better fits the client Type of Reinforcer/Punisher Schedule of Reinforcement

Strong experimental studies provide confidence that a given procedure will produce a specific outcome

HANDING OVER THE REINS Unlike other helping professions, the

treatments designed by behavior analysts are often carried out by others Paraprofessionals Caregivers Parents Teachers

Determines seriousness of

behavior, establishes baseline data

collection, completes necessary background

work and an FA

Once controlling variables are determined, a

treatment plan is designed, approved

and put in place

BCBA may need to demonstrate the plan

and is ethically obligated to train staff on how to efficiently carry out the plan to ensure it is effective

BEHAVIOR ANALYST VS. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Work in clinical Setting

Patients seek out treatment

Patient leaves on their own accord at the end

Clinical Psychologist

Setting is where behavior occurs

Clients are referred by someone else

“real world settings” provide special set of ethical problems

BCBA

A DIFFERENT CODE OF ETHICS…

1. BCBA’s must be careful to respect client rights Make sure 3rd party hasn’t wrongfully referred them

(convenience rather than necessity)

2. Data Collection Data must be accurate and reliable, yet unobtrusive

to client to avoid stigmatizing them– very fine line!

3. Vulnerable populations Individuals unable to protect themselves Must ensure their rights are not violated

“…BEHAVIOR IS NOT ONLY QUITE SEVERE BUT ALSO AMAZINGLY COMPLEX IN NATURE.”

FA’s help yield a valid treatment, however, myriad variables sometimes get in the way Medical condition that occurred years earlier Occurrence of conditioned reinforcers EO’s that provide motivation from time to time Discriminative stimuli and setting events which set

the occasion for the behavior

The ethical behavior analyst must examine all possibilities to determine which are most salient!

AVERSIVE CONSEQUENCES

Without ethical guidelines, gave us a bad reputation

Since then… Recommended only after reinforcement

procedures have been tried The client or their surrogate gives approval If used, reinforcement for alternative

behavior is included in the plan

Staying on the side of positive reinforcement must be balanced with the client’s right to effective treatment

EMPLOYMENT

Employer is a third party Likely to be working for a state agency or

private consulting firm

Sufficient countercontrol to prevent abuses when service is paid directly by the patient Ensures service meets needs of consumer Prevents harm seen in Miami case

Agencies must… Be diligent in hiring qualified BA’s Assume responsibility for their actions on a day-

to-day basis Some entity or organization must keep tab on their

professionals’ performance to assume monitoring function and exert quality assurance.

Employer must be fully aware of the Guidelines for Responsible Conduct

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE…

Responsibility is on the behavior analyst Must uphold highest standards to avoid

harming clients or tarnishing the reputation of the employer (not to mention the field in general!)

Employers are not always ethical May want to cut corners or increase profits BA’s pledge to support the Guidelines

supersedes the desire of the employer

ABA VS. OTHER AUTISM TREATMENTS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6CWf9H7F8k

Behavior analysts are responsible for spreading the word and promoting ABA as the treatment of choice for autism

Do it professionally! Be respectful of what other clients may have tried Handle criticism or questions proficiently and in a

way that you are proud to stand by your response Don’t want to make our field stand out in a bad way

IN SUMMARY

Behavior analysts have the potential to do great good for clients and society

It is the goal of the BACB Guidelines to ensure that this outcome is consistently achieved while protecting client’s rights at all times.

By analyzing complex

problematic behaviors

Finding humane and effective

solutions

Implementing programs that work

Ensuring the lest-restrictive, most

effective evidence-based treatments

possible

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

REFERENCES

Bailey, J.S., &Burch, M.R. (2001). Ethics for behavior analysts (2nd Expanded Edition). Routledge.