BCAT Ethics and Legal Considerations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A BCAT receives a gift from a grateful parent after a successful therapy milestone. What is the most ethical course of action?
- Accept the gift graciously to maintain rapport
- Decline the gift and explain the professional boundary policy (Correct answer)
- Accept only if the gift is under $25
- Ask a supervisor to accept the gift on your behalf
Correct answer: Decline the gift and explain the professional boundary policy
Accepting gifts from clients or families creates a dual relationship and violates professional boundaries under the BACB ethics code.
Question 2: Under IDEA, which term describes the legally mandated document outlining a student's special education services and goals?
- Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) (Correct answer)
- Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
- Service Agreement (SA)
Correct answer: Individualized Education Program (IEP)
The IEP is the legally required document under IDEA that specifies a student's special education goals, services, and accommodations.
Question 3: A BCAT notices a colleague using a punishment procedure not approved in the client's behavior plan. What should the BCAT do first?
- Ignore it since it is the colleague's case
- Immediately report it to law enforcement
- Address it with the colleague and if unresolved escalate to a supervisor (Correct answer)
- Document it privately and monitor for recurrence
Correct answer: Address it with the colleague and if unresolved escalate to a supervisor
Ethical practice requires addressing the concern directly and escalating to a supervisor if the behavior continues, to protect the client.
Question 4: Which federal law specifically prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal financial assistance?
- ADA Title II
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Correct answer)
- IDEA Part B
- HIPAA Privacy Rule
Correct answer: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by programs receiving federal funding.
Question 5: Informed consent for ABA services for a minor must be obtained from whom?
- The minor client if they are over age 10
- The assigned BCBA only
- The legal guardian or parent of the minor (Correct answer)
- The school district in which the child is enrolled
Correct answer: The legal guardian or parent of the minor
Legal guardians or parents must provide informed consent for ABA services for minors because minors cannot legally consent to treatment.
Question 6: A BCAT is asked by a supervisor to skip session documentation to save time. The BCAT should:
- Comply since supervisors have authority over technicians
- Skip documentation only for short sessions
- Refuse and explain that accurate documentation is an ethical and legal obligation (Correct answer)
- Document after the next session instead
Correct answer: Refuse and explain that accurate documentation is an ethical and legal obligation
Accurate and timely documentation is required by both professional ethics and billing regulations; skipping it constitutes fraud and negligence.
Question 7: What does 'least restrictive environment' mean in the context of special education law?
- Students must be placed in the smallest classroom available
- Students with disabilities should be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate (Correct answer)
- Restrictive behavioral procedures must never be used
- Students may not receive services outside of general education settings
Correct answer: Students with disabilities should be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate
LRE under IDEA requires that students with disabilities be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate for them.
BCAT Ethics and Legal Considerations 2
A BCAT receives a gift from a grateful parent after a successful therapy milestone.
What is the most ethical course of action?