Ethics Scenario Archive

Scenario I am a founder and executive director for a school for children with ASD. We have a female HS student who has an iPhone with access to her own social media accounts. She is very socially motivated. She comes from a single parent, low SES home. Her mother can be challenging to work with. We have found recently on her phone inappropriate content. Solicitations for attention from men that we don't think she knows...your basic nightmare. Obviously the first…

Scenario I got in a car accident today in front of a client’s house. The client’s mom came outside after she heard the accident and saw the position of the cars. I had to move my car because I was blocking the street. Would it be appropriate if I ask her if she could be a witness? Or would that be an ethical violation? I have to go to court in February. When the police officer asked if I knew…

Scenario Our school has been bit by RPM...HELP.  One parent went to a conference on RPM and has come back convinced that she has been undervaluing her son's intelligence. She's making somewhat extraordinary claims about what he is communicating with his RPM instructor, and sort of implying that we should be instructing him differently at school.  We've been clear that we cannot change his goals unless we see him displaying those skills at school.  In one week, we now have…

Scenario There are currently 3 BCBAs on the staff at my current site. 2 of the BCBAs are licensed and one of us is working on getting licensed, we are all certified. The 2 BCBAs that are licensed are relatively new to this site and have not mastered the work that we do. We have a few supervisees that require supervision. Per the BACB, a supervisee is expected to have 2 client observations supervised as well as individual supervision meetings.…

Scenario A BCBA needs to approach a colleague about questionable clinical practices and/or professional ethical practices (e.g., outdated intervention procedures or not following the PECC to resolve conflicts). Instead of interacting with the BCBA, the colleague in question uses an attorney to send out a cease and desist for alleged slander before direct attempts to connect with colleague to clear up confusion. How should this be handled? Response Codes to Consider: 7.02, 1.01, 1.02, 1.03 Steps to Explore: Consult with an attorney due to cease and…

Scenario I am on a new team with a very involved young child with ASD and several other diagnoses. When meeting with the team, it was determined that PECS would be a great starting point for the child for functional communication. The speech therapist stated that she will just recommend a communication device because she hates doing PECS, implementing it and keeping up on the pictures. The family expressed concern about the child using a device as he doesn’t point…

Scenario I am looking for resources for IRB approval for independent researchers. I'm partnered with a university and have approval for a project but I have other projects unrelated to that project that I would like to get approval for. Any suggestions? Response The university s/he is partnering with may have its own IRB (I know ASU does), otherwise whoever their university contact is should have resources? I’m in the early stages of this process as well but I’m just…

Scenario I am working with young child with ASD. The family has sought out numerous treatments for their son. They feel that the hyperbaric chamber, oxygen therapy, gluten free diet and supplements have been the most beneficial treatments for their son. The team feels that the evidence-based practice of ABA is making a great impact on the child with the therapist. He is able to perform a wide variety of skills in different areas of development for the provider. The…

Scenario A team is looking for insight on how to handle parents offering dinner and other token items during check out/transition out of service session (especially how a BCBA would coach a RBT to handle this in the moment)? Response Explanation of appreciation but limitations that exist to accept   Make sure message is firm but respectful; establish mutual trust, prime the situation   Many of these families feel eternally indebted to us, we need to acknowledge their thankfulness and redirect this…