Scenario 1
Amy is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) who is providing home-based services for a seven-year-old girl named Sue. Sue was diagnosed with Autism at the age of four and has received a variety of services in the past to address developmental and behavioral concerns including occupational therapy, speech therapy, and ABA therapy. Sue made significant progress through ABA therapy and occupational therapy resulting in an increase in socially-appropriate behavior and independence in activities of daily living. Sue did not make much progress in the area of speech.
Sueâs mother had heard about the progress that many children with autism were making progress on acquiring language skills through the use of Verbal Behavior Analysis techniques. Sueâs mother was informed about Amy through a mutual friend whose family received ABA therapy from her to address significant problem behaviors displayed by their own child.
After three weeks of therapy, Sueâs mother grew concerned that she was not receiving the desired treatment, as Amy had only made recommendations to address whining and tantrums. Sueâs mother expressed her desire to receive Verbal Behavior Therapy because Sueâs behavior problems were minimal. Amy stated that there was a need to establish behavioral control first. When Sueâs mother asked Amy where she received training in Verbal Behavior Analysis, Amy indicated that she did not have formal training but attended a workshop where the methodology was discussed.
When Sueâs mother inquired about Amyâs credentials she simply stated that she was a behavior analyst without elaborating on her certification level. Sueâs mother then asked who provides her supervision. Amy stated that she was an independent practitioner.
Answer the following questions based on your readings:
- Provide a summary of the principles upon which guideline 1 (Responsible Conduct of a Behavior Analyst) and guideline 2 (The Behavior Analystâs Responsibility to Clients) are based.
Discuss at least two ethical standards that apply to this scenario. Discuss the recommendations for appropriate behavior under each ethical standard chosen. How are these standards being violated in the scenario?
- What should be the appropriate course of action in this scenario?
Scenario 2
Nancy is a BCaBA who works for a mental health agency in a small Mid-western town. Nancy has a fairly large caseload because the next closest mental health service provider is 200 miles away. One night, Nancy was at a bar with a group of friends when the topic of work came up. Nancy began to talk about one of her clients and the behavior that he displays. She stated, âI work with this kid named Tommy.â âWhat a little monster! He always tantrums for everything and his mother always gives in to him. He got mad during one of our sessions when I was trying to model planned ignoring strategies for his mother and spit on me. If I wasnât good at my job, I would have jerked this little joker up by his shirt collar. I also go over to Washington Shores Middle School to consult with his classroom teacher, Ms. Dowd. She is so frustrated with him. He happens to be in the same class as another one of my clients so I thought that I might as well work with him in the classroom as well. I donât know how much longer I can take this case. If there was another clinician that was close enough, I would definitely try to transfer this one.â
Answer the following questions based on your readings:
- Provide a summary of the principles upon which guideline 1 (Responsible Conduct of a Behavior Analyst) and guideline 2 (The Behavior Analystâs Responsibility to Clients) are based.
Part 2: Dual Relationships
Scenario 1
Bob is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who works with A Brighter Day Consultants, an agency that provides ABA and counseling therapies. Bob, a Caucasian practitioner, has been providing ABA services to a 10-year-old African American child named Ricky and his mother Jessica. The family resides in a rural Southern community. Jessica is a single-mother who is raising Ricky and his younger sister. Jessica also receives parental support from her mother who resides with the family.
During the course of services, Bob had established a very good rapport with the family and they began to accept some of his intervention recommendations. The family liked and trusted Bob so much that they invited him to a family barbeque. Bob had previously attended a continuing education workshop that addressed multicultural issues in ABA services where he learned that African American families tended to focus more on interpersonal relationships with clinicians, while White Americans responded more to the instrumental skills demonstrated by the clinician. With this in mind, Bob reluctantly accepted the invitation and attended the event. During the course of the family gathering, Ricky was admonished for verbal disrespect toward a family member and spanked by his grandmother. Bob, who firmly believes that spanking is an inappropriate form of discipline, reminded Rickyâs grandmother and mother that they needed to continue to emphasize rewarding Ricky for good behavior rather than punishing misbehavior. Grandmother stated that there are times when a child needs a âgood whippingâ. She also stated that âif you spare the rod, you spoil the childâ.
Answer the following questions based on your readings:
- Provide a discussion of how the standards outlined under Guideline 1.06 (Dual Relationships and Conflicts of Interest) apply to this scenario?
- What actions should the practitioner take in this scenario to ensure that they remain objective and avoid ethical violations?
- How would you balance ethical responsibility with respect for the clientâs cultural values in this case?
Scenario 2
Sandy is a newly certified BCaBA who has been providing in-home behavior analysis services with a Hispanic American family. Sandy had always made an effort to take a professional approach to services and usually makes efforts to maintain appropriate boundaries. In an effort to learn more about the cultural values of Hispanic American families, Sandy found that the cultural values of Hispanic Americans tend to focus on a familial perspective where relatives and even friends are often treated as family.
Through additional research in mental health services, Sandy found that a practitioner may sometimes be perceived as a family member or friend. As such, that practitioner may be invited to family functions and given gifts. She also found research that indicated that rapport between the practitioner and client is often predicated on establishing interpersonal relationships.
In an effort to show gratitude, the patriarch of the family offered Sandy a bottle of wine and flowers to express appreciation for all that she has done for the family. Sandy is touched by the gesture but feels that accepting gifts could pose an ethical violation? At the same time, she does not want to disrespect the family by refusing the offer.
Answer the following questions based on your readings:
- Provide a discussion of how the standards outlined under Guideline 1.06 (Dual Relationships and Conflicts of Interest) apply to this scenario?
- What actions should the practitioner take in this scenario to ensure that they remain objective and avoid ethical violations?
- How would you balance ethical responsibility with respect for the clientâs cultural values in this case?
Sample Solution