Assessing Behavior Analytic Intervention

As a Behavior Analyst accepting responsibility will promote the most effective standard of work. Behavior analyst treatment measures effects a variety of individuals involved in a treatment plan. The

As mentioned in the BACB Ethical Guideline, behavior analysts are responsible for informing clients about evidence-based that might be beneficial. It is our job to recommend scientifically supported most effective treatment procedures, which will have both long-term and short-term benefits to not only the client but also our society. If a client is interested on beginning a treatment that has not been scientifically proven to be effective, it would be my job to recommend evidence-based intervention that have been shown to be effective in similar cases.

Baer, D. M. (Spring, 1968). Some Current Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 91-97.

The word ‘ethics’ refers to moral rules or principles of behaviour for deciding what is right and wrong. As a behaviour analysts, our participants are often at-risk or vulnerable so that we may meet the situation which could cause special ethical problems (Brodhead & Higbee, 2012). Although the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) has created guidelines for dealing with ethical dilemmas, some scenarios could not fit to those guidelines. How to make a right decision for children with autism is the most important issue for behaviour analysts. In 1988, the article The Right to Effective Behavioral Treatment by Van Houten et al. had provided that recipients of ABA services have the right to:

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. (BACB) has adopted ten guidelines for professional conduct for behavior analyst. Guideline four discusses, The Behavior Analyst and the Individual Behavior Change Program. The guideline states, “The behavior analyst (a) designs programs that are based on behavior analytic principles, including assessments of effects of other intervention methods, (b) involves the client or the client-surrogate in the planning of such programs, (c) obtains the consent of the client, and (d) respects the right of the client to terminate services at any time.” Within guideline four, Least Restrictive Procedures 4.10 dictates, “The behavior analyst reviews and appraises the restrictiveness of alternative interventions and always recommends the least restrictive procedures likely to be effective in dealing with a behavior problem” (Bailey & Burch, 2011.) Based on our ethical guidelines as future behavior analyst we must guarantee our clients interventions are the least restrictive. Promoting least restrictive interventions in school settings ensures the utilization of antecedent manipulations. Utilizing antecedent manipulations may assist with deescalating or preventing further maladaptive behavior. Preventing maladaptive behavior decreases the risks of potential negative side effects such as emotional responding. Employing our ethical guidelines ensures the dignity of our students and promotes student independence.

The purpose of this assignment was to observe a non-certified staff member implement a program designed by a behavior analyst. Ethical issues that were observed, or potential ethical issues that could arise will be discussed and how they relate to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) ethical guidelines. Following the discussion of ethical situations will be possible solutions to prevent ethical dilemmas from occurring while practicing as a behavior analyst. Finally, this paper will conclude with the observer’s personal reaction.

Adam’s mom has asked the behavior analyst to use a new treatment she has discovered for sensory integration. Adam’s mom brought in paper work using The Wilbarger Protocol (brushing therapy). This will help Adam with his sensory integration. Adam’s mom brings in all the paperwork showing what the supervisor and the supervisee need to do to brush Adam’s skin 3 times during his behavior therapy treatment. Mellissa the therapist thinks this is outside her scope as well as her supervisors. Mellissa thinks an occupational therapist is needed for this type of therapy. The supervisor reassures the client’s mother that her son will be brushed 3 times throughout his day. The supervisor is not being ethical because she is practicing outside of her scope. She is also putting her supervisee in an unethical situation as well. This is ethical code 5.01 violation. Behavior analyst supervises only within their area of defined competence (Bailey & Burch,

The first principle per the APA code of ethics is beneficence and nonmaleficence, this is where psychologist focus on the do no harm to their patients (APA, 2010, p.2). A psychologist is to strive to provide the best benefit to a potential client or individual they professionally work with and seek to safeguard their welfare and rights. The guarding of welfare and rights is also attributed to animals used in research. Among psychologist, conflicts will arise and should be handled accordingly to minimize harm (APA, 2010, p.2). Due to the possibility that a psychologist’s scientific judgment and actions may affect another’s life, they must be alert of their own personal, financial, social, or political views as they may be misused to influence others. The psychologist also needs to be aware of their own mental and physical health, so they are at their best capability when helping others.

Ever since I moved to the United States in August 2016, the amount of junk food I eat has increased drastically. My friend and I go to Wendy’s or McDonald’s at least twice a week. Whenever I don’t feel like cooking, I just open up the Domino’s app on my phone and order a medium pizza with beef and onion. Sometimes I feel wild and get a ranch sauce as well. I think that my problem with fast food comes from the unhealthy environment that I live in; every day when I go to school, I go past Taco Bell, McDonald’s, and Chick-Fil-A. When I’m hungry, it can be difficult to not go buy a quick Double Quarter Pounder with cheese. During these next five weeks, I’m going to attempt to decrease my junk food consumption.

According to the professional and ethical compliance code for behavior analysts, behavior analysts must rely on scientific knowledge (1.01) and clients have a right to effective treatment (2.09). This undoubtedly goes against ethics code because scientists don’t recommend FC and have proven that other methods such as Applied Behavior Analysis are more effective. Because of the popularity of FC in the 90’s, proponents continued their adherence to the technique and dismissed evidence investigations as flawed and unnecessary, characterizing FC as an “effective and legitimate intervention” in pro-FC literature (?). They refused to change their minds or admit their mistakes. The FC movement retained some of its popularity and is still being used as of today, controversially. Its use has caused issues for families especially in terms of abuse

I am drawn to the field of applied behavior analysis as it is a way of understanding that allows me to address the needs of my clients and determine how to help them beyond just the label of a diagnosis. Through using applied behavior analysis effectively the origin and meaning of a behavior can be determined. When a behavior occurs a detailed report is created to describe the situation prior to the behavior, what the target behavior (behavior that is not appropriate) was and the consequences of that behavior. Analyzing the behavior using these reports helps to determine the function of the behaviors, which allows for a plan to be implemented to replace or extinct the behavior. Target behaviors within some cases are be used as a form of communication when words are not available or known to the client. Determining a more

Furthermore, client welfare is an concern that this guideline is addressing. According to the American Counseling Association ethical codes it is the counselors’ primary responsibility to promote the welfare of clients. Counselors should also take reasonable steps to do the client no harm. Also, the therapeutic relationship most important in this guideline. It is of much significance that the counselor discuss appropriate issues with the client.

Ethics is the behaviors and practices that answers is the intervention the right thing to do (such as personal histories), what is worth doing (does the intervention add positively to the client), and being a good practitioner and treat others with the same respect for the client beliefs and values. When thinking about reinforcement and punishment, it is important to note the ethics that are associated with behavior analysts. According to Bailey & Burch (2011), the Avoiding Harmful Reinforcers (4.06), means that the behavior analysts should consider those reinforcers that are not going to harm the client, such as fatty foods or those times that can cause long term issues, such as lung cancer(). For example, having a client that has a reinforcer

Behavior modification. The first step to behavior modification is to assess and observe behavior in order to collect data . The purpose of this assessment is to determine the baseline, or frequency, of the problem behavior. Determining a baseline will allow the teacher to make comparisons to the post-intervention evaluation. The observational assessment must consider the environmental causes of the behavior ( ). According to behaviorists, almost all behavior can be broken down into the ABC components, where A is the antecedent, B is the behavior, and C is the consequence of the behavior ( ). The antecedent occurs before the behavior while the consequence occurs after. This enables teachers to see what is happening in

The data is collected and the consultant and consultee will decide on an intervention. The intervention will have a behavioral target. The plan is implemented. The plan is assessed to evaluate the progress and the success of the plan. The consultant and consultee will monitor and review the result of the implementation and revise the plan if necessary. Continue the process if there are some positive behavior