Chapter 3

Jilian Planer

Scientific Basis

Requires txt are based on our science

Single subject design

Each person is his/her own control

Baseline data always collected

Txts custom-made to individuals

Evaluation continues until txt is terminated

Wide Range of Clients

Developmentally-Disabled

Multiply Physically Handicapped

Children and Adults with Autism

Wide range of level of functioning

Corporate Supervisors, managers, and CEOs

Requirements for BCBAs

Keep up with latest developments in specialty and the most recent literatureOnly recommend/apply procedures proven effective – From peer-reviewed journals– That have clear demonstrations of experimental

control: NO CORRELATIONS HERE!

Changes in treatment must be data based“Evidence-based treatment” is the standard (and has been for us for the past 30 years!)

Treatment Implementation

BCBA responsible for:– Determining

seriousness of behavior

– Baseline data– Background work– Functional

assessment– Treatment plan

Then:– Showing the “team”

the importance of the plan

– How it should be implemented

– Thorough training is required by code of ethics

Clinical Psychologists vs. Behavior Analysts

Clinical PsychologistsTherapy in clinic setting

One-on-one with patients

Self-selected treatment

Patient leaves at end

Patient can voice their problems or concerns about themselves

Behavior AnalystsWork done in setting where behavior occursSometimes one-on-one with clientsReferred by someone elseBehavior is often severe and person has to be supervisionWorking with vulnerable populationsOften clients cannot speak or ambulate

“The third party”

Difficult to sometimes determine who our client is

E.g. was an individual referred for treatment of screaming and running away, but upon further investigation you find they are actually screaming and running away because they are being mistreated?

“The third party”, the referring person, usually ends up not being our true client

Walking a fine line

Need to take special care to not stigmatize clients– Cannot have obtrusive observation systems/data

collection methods; must collect reliable/valid data

Clients have the right to privacy, effective treatment, be treated with dignity and respectCannot simply restrain, isolate, or overmedicate individuals to stop behaviorMust conduct a functional assessment to determine cause of behavior

“Behavior Modification”

Early behavior analysis put emphasis on consequences– Often aversive consequences

Lack of ethical and professional guidelines lead to mistreatment and a poor reputation for our field

Most advances in ethics came out of this time– Least Restrictive Alternative

Least Restrictive Alternative

PunishmentMost restrictive

Only recommended after reinforcement has been tried

Reinforcement should be included in these procedures to increase desirable behavior at the same time

ReinforcementLeast restrictive

Recommended before punishment procedures

Using positive reinforcement must be balanced with providing most effective treatment

Employment

State agency or private consulting firm

The employer is “the third party”

Employers needs to hold BCBAs accountable and vice versa

Employee must always uphold BACB Guidelines even when under pressure from employer

Greater Good

Potential to do good for clients and society by:– Analyzing complex problematic behaviors– Finding humane and effective solutions– Implementing programs that work– Using least-restrictive, most-effective,

evidence-based treatments– Doing it all with limited resources and time!

One Final Thought

“It is the goal of the BACB Guidelines to assure that this outcome is consistently achieved while protecting clients’ rights at all times”

In Conclusion

Behavior Analysis is a unique science

Each BCBA is unique

Each learner, student, or person that experiences our treatments are unique

Questions?

Thank You