ABAT - Applied Behavior Analysis Ethics and Professional Conduct Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the BACB Ethics Code, behavior analysts must prioritize the interests of which stakeholder group first?
- The funding agency
- The client (the individual receiving services) (Correct answer)
- The supervising BCBA
- The parent or guardian
Correct answer: The client (the individual receiving services)
The BACB Ethics Code requires behavior analysts to place the welfare and rights of the client receiving services above all other competing interests.
The BACB Ethics Code (2020) establishes a clear responsibility hierarchy: behavior analysts must prioritize the welfare of the client (the person receiving ABA services) above the interests of other stakeholders such as parents, employers, funding agencies, or supervisors. When conflicts arise among stakeholders, the behavior analyst must advocate for the client's best interests. This principle underpins decisions around service delivery, treatment selection, and advocacy for needed services.
Question 2: A BCBA who practices outside their area of professional competence violates which ethical obligation?
- Confidentiality
- Practicing within scope of competence (Correct answer)
- Informed consent
- Multiple relationships
Correct answer: Practicing within scope of competence
The BACB Ethics Code requires behavior analysts to practice only within areas for which they have adequate education, training, and experience.
Practicing within one's scope of competence is a core ethical obligation. BCBAs and RBTs must only provide services within the areas in which they have demonstrated knowledge and skill through education, supervised experience, or professional training. Practicing outside this scope — even with good intentions — can harm clients and violates professional ethics. If a case presents needs outside one's competence, the behavior analyst should seek supervision, additional training, or refer to another qualified professional.
Question 3: Informed consent in ABA requires that the individual or guardian:
- Only be told the behavior plan after it begins
- Receive complete information about treatment, understand it, and voluntarily agree without coercion (Correct answer)
- Agree verbally without written documentation
- Be contacted annually to renew consent
Correct answer: Receive complete information about treatment, understand it, and voluntarily agree without coercion
Informed consent requires disclosure of complete and accurate information, comprehension by the client/guardian, and voluntary agreement without any coercion.
Informed consent is an ethical and legal requirement. It must be: (1) informed — full disclosure of the nature of services, potential risks/benefits, alternatives, and rights; (2) comprehended — the consenting party must understand the information; and (3) voluntary — given without any form of coercion or undue pressure. For individuals who cannot provide their own consent (e.g., minors, individuals with severe cognitive disabilities), a legal guardian provides consent. The BACB Ethics Code and most state regulations require written documentation of informed consent.
Question 4: Which scenario represents a dual relationship that could compromise a behavior analyst's professional objectivity?
- A BCBA consulting with another BCBA on a challenging case
- A BCBA providing therapy to a family member (Correct answer)
- A BT collecting data for a BCBA's client
- A BCBA attending a professional conference
Correct answer: A BCBA providing therapy to a family member
Providing services to a family member creates a personal relationship concurrent with the professional one, compromising objectivity and creating potential harm.
The BACB Ethics Code discourages multiple relationships (sometimes called dual relationships) in which a behavior analyst has a professional role with someone while also having a different type of relationship (personal, business, sexual, familial). These concurrent relationships can impair professional judgment, objectivity, and effectiveness. Providing ABA services to a family member creates a dual relationship that could affect clinical decision-making and is generally considered unethical unless no other provider is available and the relationship is carefully managed and documented.
Question 5: A BT suspects a client's caregiver is engaging in abusive behavior. The BT's first ethical and legal obligation is to:
- Ignore it as outside the scope of ABA practice
- Report the suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities as required by mandatory reporter laws (Correct answer)
- Discuss the situation with the client only
- Consult a personal attorney before taking action
Correct answer: Report the suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities as required by mandatory reporter laws
All BACB certificants are mandatory reporters and must report suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities as required by law.
All individuals holding BACB credentials (BCBA, BCaBA, RBT) are subject to mandatory reporter obligations in most jurisdictions and under the BACB Ethics Code. When suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation is observed, the behavior analyst must report it to the appropriate legal authorities (e.g., child protective services, adult protective services). The duty to report supersedes confidentiality obligations in cases of suspected harm. Failure to report is an ethical violation and potentially a legal offense.
Question 6: Behavior analysts must maintain confidentiality of client information EXCEPT when:
- The client's employer requests information for performance reviews
- There is a legal obligation, mandatory reporting requirement, or safety concern requiring disclosure (Correct answer)
- Another ABA provider requests records for their own caseload
- Insurance companies request billing information without client consent
Correct answer: There is a legal obligation, mandatory reporting requirement, or safety concern requiring disclosure
Confidentiality can be broken when required by law, mandatory reporting obligations, or imminent safety risks — these supersede the general duty of confidentiality.
The BACB Ethics Code and HIPAA require behavior analysts to protect client confidentiality. However, there are legally mandated exceptions: mandatory reporting of abuse/neglect, court orders or subpoenas, situations where imminent harm to self or others is suspected, and specific releases of information consented to by the client/guardian. Sharing information with insurance companies for billing typically requires authorization. Routine sharing with employers or other providers without explicit consent is a confidentiality violation.
ABAT - Applied Behavior Analysis Ethics and Professional Conduct Questions and Answers 2
According to the BACB Ethics Code, behavior analysts must prioritize the interests of which stakeholder group first?