Scenario I moved to Arizona seven years ago, but I started my career here providing habilitation services to adults. However, for the past six years, I have been working with only children. Two weeks ago, I saw one of my previous adult clients working at my neighborhood grocery store. I am aware we're not allowed to approach families of children we work with, because someone could guess we provide services to them based on knowing what our career is. However,…
Scenario I have recently been diagnosed with a spine problem, which is causing me great pain, but has not kept me from doing my high quality work as a Behavior Analyst. I am fearful of continuing on my pain medications due to a family history of addiction. Therefore, I have done some research on the use of Medical Marijuana as a more natural way for me to treat the pain from this injury. My question is this, since Medical Marijuana is…
Scenario Dear Ethics Committee: I am an ABA student preparing for the BCBA exam. I have a question about pro bono limitations. I read in the code 2.13 about fees and financial arrangements. But in many references to this code, people will say that the relationship must be "remunerative." Does this mean that pro bono work is discouraged? Many other professionals (i.e. some medical doctors I know) regularly provide a portion of their time to people on a pro bono…
Scenario I work under a BCBA who is providing services to a family whom she has multiple relationships with. The parents of the client are long-time friends of hers which she openly shared with me. I have expressed concerns about the family being very aggressive and hostile towards my client and will interrupt my sessions to tell me that I’m doing my job incorrectly and have tried to get me to physically force my client to hang from a monkey…
Scenario I am a parent of a teenager receiving ABA services. We have been in the system (in many different capacities) for 13 years. My son has been receiving ABA interventions for about 6 months. I have already noticed positive changes in my son. However, I have concerns regarding the parent training I am receiving. The BCBA is extremely knowledgeable and teaches me through a behavior skills model – this is great because she shows me what to do and…
Scenario I am a parent of a teenager receiving ABA services. We have been in the system (in many different capacities) for 13 years. My son has been receiving ABA interventions for about 6 months. I have already noticed positive changes in my son. However, I have concerns regarding the parent training I am receiving. The BCBA is extremely knowledgeable and teaches me through a behavior skills model – this is great because she shows me what to do and…
Scenario Hi guys :) I'm looking for advice on 8.05 in the Ethics code, soliciting testimonials. Our organization is celebrating our 10-year anniversary, and we would like to put together a short video montage of the parents of our students and clients saying a few words of appreciation to the staff. This would be used for internal purposes only...purely as a means of appreciating our staff, and not for promotional purposes whatsoever. Thoughts? Response Ensure no personal information is included…
Scenario I am a BCBA and therefore, a mandated reporter. After a report I made recently (details protected to maintain confidentiality), the guardian is retaliating (harassment, threats, etc.). Is there any protection in the state of AZ against retaliatory actions towards a mandated reporter? I do not feel personally intimidated specific to making/not making future reports; however, it is clear that such actions towards a mandated reporter may have a punishing effect on new(er) professionals with less confidence or support.…
Scenario I have been working with a child that is diagnosed with ASD. She engages in severe self-injurious behavior (head banging). She has been hospitalized 2 times for cuts to her forehead and concussions. Behaviors have decreased at school after staff training from our team but stay consistent in the home. The family is struggling with staying in close proximity to her, being proactive and implementing strategies when staff is not around. Their insurance company is suggesting a helmet to…
Scenario Frank is a mid-level therapist, currently in supervision with an agency in which utilizes ABA for children with Autism. Frank has been working with a family for the last 12 months, with two children recommended 40 hours a week of early intervention. There has been little to no data, hampering adherence to service requirements. The parents have a difficult time with transitions, developing relationships and managing the schedule of two child on the spectrum with higher level(s) of medical…