Post on 18-Jan-2016
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.