Ethics Scenario Archive

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A BCBA needs to approach a colleague about questionable clinical practices and/or professional ethical practices (e.g., outdated intervention procedures or not following the PECC to resolve conflicts).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…

Scenario How does a BCBA terminate services when parent behavior is impeding patient services? Response Review expectations at onset of service Revisit tx plan goals and alignment with family values Reach out to supporting BCBAs for guidance Set discharge criteria in initial tx plan Refer to counseling for additional services if exp. avoidance is hypothesized

Scenario You are a new BCBA to an established case and go to meet your client and his family for the first time.  The client is a 12-year-old male evaluated using the VB-MAPP and has been a client of the company for 5 years.  You see the client run in and out of the meeting wearing only his underwear and holding up an iPad to his ear.   While meeting with the family, you learn that the previous BCBA has…