Chapter 9 The Behavior Analyst and the Individual Behavior Change Program

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Chapter 9The Behavior Analyst and the
Individual Behavior Change Program

• Maggie Neggers
• Caldwell College
• Ethics for Behavior Analysts

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Outline

• Introduction
• Standards videos
• Scenarios
• BACB Guidelines
• Ethic Guidelines from other fields

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Early Evolution

• Extensions of laboratory procedures
• No written documentation
• No approval process
• New form of therapy data based

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Early Evolution Continued

• Mid- 1980s practitioners were fully in
  compliance with standards
• Approve program in writing before implemented
• Use least restrictive environment
• Avoid harmful consequences
• Involve client in any modifications to the
  program

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Fields Position on Punishment

• the behavior analyst recommends reinforcement
  rather than punishment whenever possible.

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Video

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vaAj9W0ntUMI

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Scenario (4.05)

• Reinforcement and punishment
• Juan a newly certified BCBA decides that Carl, a
  child whose face slapping is maintained by
  self-reinforcement is serious enough to warrant a
  punishment procedure as an intervention. When
  Carl slaps his face, Juan wants Carls hands to
  be firmly pulled away from his face and for the
  therapist to say in a loud voice no

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Least Restrictive Procedures (4.10)

• Procedures as opposed to environments
• Always try to use the least restrictive method,
  which is at the same time, still likely to be
  effective

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Guideline 4

• The behavior analysts (a)designs programs that
  are based on behavior analytic principles,
  including assessments of effects of other
  intervention methods (b)involves the client or
  the client-surrogate in the planning of such
  programs, (c) obtains the consent of the client,
  and (d) respects the rights of the client to
  terminate services at any time.

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Conditions

• Describing conditions for program success (4.01)
• Environmental conditions that preclude
  implementation (4.02)
• Environmental conditions that hamper
  implementation (4.03)

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Video

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vDTD5XaXny0U

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Interventions

• Approving interventions (4.04)
• Avoiding harmful reinforcers (4.06)
• Ongoing data collection (4.07)

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Scenario

• Eddie was an extremely active client who was
  constantly leaving whichever activity in which he
  was supposed to be involved. If he was scheduled
  to be in the house, he would leave and wonder
  around the grounds. If Eddie was scheduled to be
  in the education building, he would often leave
  and go to his bedroom. Mark ,the BCaBA, decided
  that because Eddie liked sweets a good
  intervention would be to start reinforcing Eddie
  with candy or a small glass of coke every 10
  minutes throughout the day if Eddie was where he
  was suppose to be?

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Programs

• Program modification (4.08)
• Program modifications consent (4.09)

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Termination

• Termination Criteria (4.11)
• Terminating Clients (4.12)

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Question

• when a client is doing very well is it a good
  idea to extend programming?

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Ethics Guidelines

• Ethical Principles for Art Therapists
• Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of
  Conduct
• Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Ethics
  Standards
• Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist
• NEA Code of Ethics

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Ethical Principles for Art Therapists

• 1.9. Termination may be initiated by either
  therapist or client. Whenever possible, and
  regardless of who initiates termination, art
  therapists discuss with clients the decision to
  terminate therapy. Art therapists terminate
  therapy when it becomes reasonably clear that the
  client no longer needs the service, is not likely
  to benefit, or is being harmed by continuing the
  service.
• 1.11 Art therapists, prior to termination,
  provide pre-termination counseling and suggest
  alternate service providers as appropriate,
  except where precluded by the actions of clients
  or third-party payers.

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Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of
Conduct

• 3.04 Psychologists take reasonable steps to avoid
  harming their clients/patients, students,
  supervisees, research participants,
  organizational clients and others with whom they
  work, and to minimize harm where it is
  foreseeable and unavoidable.

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Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Ethics
Standards

• Principle 2. Occupational therapy personnel shall
  intentionally refrain from actions that cause
  harm.

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Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist

• 7A. Physical therapists shall promote practice
  environments that support autonomous and
  accountable professional judgments.

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NEA Code of Ethics

• Shall not deliberately suppress or distort
  subject matter relevant to the student's progress.

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References

• Bailey, J.S., Burch, M.R. (2001). Ethics for
  behavior analysts (2nd Expanded Edition).
  Routledge.