BCAT Ethics and Legal Considerations Questions and Answers

Question 1

During a lunch break at a coffee shop, a BCAT is talking to a friend who asks about their work.
The BCAT describes a challenging but ultimately successful interaction with a client, using the client's first name and mentioning the neighborhood they live in.
Which ethical principle is the BCAT primarily violating?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Scope of Competence

Answer

Dual Relationships

Answer

Integrity

Question 2

A parent expresses frustration with a specific skill acquisition target in the behavior plan, stating it's 'not important,' and asks the BCAT to stop working on it. The most ethical and professional response from the BCAT is to:

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the parent's concern, state that you must follow the plan as written, and refer the parent to the supervising BCBA to discuss their concerns.

Answer

Modify the plan to focus on a target the parent prefers.

Answer

Agree to pause work on that target and inform the supervisor later.

Answer

Explain to the parent why the goal is important and continue with the plan as written.

Question 3

Which of the following actions by a BCAT would be considered an unethical dual relationship?

Accepted Answer

Accepting a regular weekend babysitting job for a current client.

Answer

Attending a client's Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting at their school.

Answer

Exchanging a polite greeting with a client's family when seen in a grocery store.

Answer

Collaborating with a client's speech therapist during an authorized session.

Question 4

A BCAT is assisting a 14-year-old client with their showering routine as part of their treatment plan. To uphold the client's dignity, the BCAT should prioritize:

Accepted Answer

Respecting the client's privacy as much as possible while providing necessary support.

Answer

Keeping the bathroom door open to ensure the client can be heard at all times.

Answer

Speaking loudly so the family can hear that the program is being implemented correctly.

Answer

Completing most of the steps for the client to ensure the routine is done quickly.

Question 5

A BCAT realizes they forgot to collect frequency data on a target behavior for the first hour of a three-hour session. To maintain professional integrity, the BCAT must:

Accepted Answer

Leave the data for that period blank, document the error, and inform the supervisor.

Answer

Estimate the data for the missed period based on the subsequent two hours.

Answer

Ask the client's parent for their recollection of the behavior during that time.

Answer

Mark the behavior as not occurring to avoid gaps in the data chart.

Question 6

A client's parent asks the BCAT to stay 30 minutes after the session ends to babysit while they run a quick errand, offering to pay them in cash. The BCAT knows this is against company policy. What is the BCAT's most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline, explaining that it is outside their professional role and against policy.

Answer

Agree to do it just this one time to help the parent out.

Answer

Suggest they ask the supervising BCBA for permission first.

Answer

Accept the offer, as it is outside of the official session time.