BCAT Ethical and Legal Considerations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A BCAT discovers that a colleague is implementing an unauthorized restraint procedure not included in the client's behavior plan. What is the most appropriate first action?
- Ignore it since the colleague has more experience
- Immediately report the incident to the supervising BCBA (Correct answer)
- Wait to see if the behavior improves before acting
- Document the procedure as if it were approved
Correct answer: Immediately report the incident to the supervising BCBA
BCaTs are obligated to report any unauthorized or potentially harmful procedures to their supervising BCBA immediately to protect client welfare.
Question 2: Under HIPAA, which of the following does NOT constitute a permissible disclosure of a client's protected health information (PHI)?
- Sharing records with the client's treatment team
- Disclosing information to a client's insurer for billing
- Discussing the client's progress with neighbors (Correct answer)
- Reporting suspected abuse to child protective services
Correct answer: Discussing the client's progress with neighbors
Discussing a client's information with neighbors is never permissible under HIPAA because they are not part of the treatment or billing process.
Question 3: A parent asks a BCaT to continue using a reinforcement strategy that the supervising BCBA has discontinued. The BCaT should:
- Follow the parent's request since they know their child best
- Continue the strategy secretly to maintain rapport with the parent
- Explain the BCBA's clinical decision and encourage the parent to discuss it with the supervisor (Correct answer)
- Implement both approaches simultaneously
Correct answer: Explain the BCBA's clinical decision and encourage the parent to discuss it with the supervisor
BCaTs must follow their supervising BCBA's clinical directives and should facilitate communication between parents and the supervisor rather than acting outside their scope.
Question 4: Which scenario best illustrates a dual relationship that a BCAT should avoid?
- Attending a required team meeting about a client
- Providing ABA services to a family member (Correct answer)
- Consulting with a BCBA about a challenging behavior
- Documenting session data on approved forms
Correct answer: Providing ABA services to a family member
Providing professional services to a family member creates a dual relationship that can compromise objectivity and professional boundaries.
Question 5: A BCaT overhears another technician making disparaging remarks about a client's disability in a public space. The ethical obligation is to:
- Join the conversation to understand the context
- Address the behavior with the colleague and report it to the supervisor (Correct answer)
- Ignore it as it was not said directly to the client
- Tell the client's parents immediately without informing the supervisor
Correct answer: Address the behavior with the colleague and report it to the supervisor
BCaTs must uphold dignity for all clients and address unprofessional conduct through proper channels, including supervisory reporting.
Question 6: When a BCaT suspects a client is being neglected at home, the legally mandated action is to:
- Investigate the situation personally before reporting
- Report suspicions to the appropriate child protective services agency (Correct answer)
- Wait for the supervising BCBA to make the determination
- Only document observations without taking further action
Correct answer: Report suspicions to the appropriate child protective services agency
BCaTs are mandated reporters and are legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect to child protective services, regardless of certainty.
Question 7: Which action best demonstrates the BCaT ethical obligation of 'beneficence'?
- Selecting the least restrictive intervention that effectively addresses the target behavior (Correct answer)
- Using the most powerful aversive to quickly eliminate a dangerous behavior
- Following client requests even when they contradict the behavior plan
- Prioritizing efficiency of treatment over client preferences
Correct answer: Selecting the least restrictive intervention that effectively addresses the target behavior
Beneficence means acting in the client's best interest, which includes using the least restrictive effective intervention to minimize harm.
BCAT Ethical and Legal Considerations 2
A BCAT discovers that a colleague is implementing an unauthorized restraint procedure not included in the client's behavior plan.
What is the most appropriate first action?