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WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE?. Gina Delli Bovi Caldwell College. Meet the clients….
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WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE? Gina Delli Bovi Caldwell College
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
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.
References • Bailey, J.S., &Burch, M.R. (2001). Ethics for behavior analysts (2nd Expanded Edition). Routledge.