The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.

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.

Punishment-Based interventions are types of treatment that is sometime used in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis to modify or change behaviors. There is a quite a bit of controversy and misunderstanding related to use of punishment. Punishment-based interventions have been proven to be one of the most controversial treatments used by behavior analyst and found in behavior analyst literature (e.g. Johnston, 1991; Matson & Kazdin, 1981; Repp & Singh, 1990) (DiGennaro Reed, & Lovett, 2008). The definition itself is many times confused or lack understanding. Cooper, Heron, and Heward (2006) explain that punishment frequently misunderstood, misapplied and quite controversial. There are some therapists or behavior analysts, parents, caregivers, teachers, and people in general who support punishment and some who do not (Hall, 2013). Although there is a lot of controversy about whether to use punishment or not, punishment is indeed still sometimes used in the field of applied behavior analysis, but there are special guidelines for using punishment based procedures in the field. Before a behavior analyst can decide whether or not they want to use punishment in an intervention, they must clearly understand the definition

|The duration of this behavior is exhibited daily in 3 out of 6 class periods. |

Are you the type of person who wants to be able to go to work everyday doing something you love, helping others who need it, and getting a smile on your face just by the smallest of things that someone does? That is the type of person I am, which is why I chose the career path of a Behavior Specialist. A Behavior Specialist is someone who works with a person who may have a disability, and they study and work with them to make things as easy as possible for their daily life. They focus on the perception of life, however sometimes hesitate to present the strong conclusions how behaviors cause certain emotion (Thompson). A Behavior Specialist is also known as a Social Psychologist, because they study how a person’s mental life and behavior are shaped by interactions with other people (“Pardon Our Interruption”). The four main behaviors that Behavior Specialists look for when studying the actions of a person are, “Self-awareness, emotion, motivation, and feelings” (“Modeling the Early Human Mind”). Although I believe being a Behavior Specialist is a dream job, there are always issues that go along with any job, in this case emotions play a role in the occupation working with people who need extra help.

Among the most widely disseminated procedures derived directly from the principles of applied behavior analysis have been those applied to the analysis and treatment of common childhood problems (e.g., Arndorfer, Allen, & Aljazireh, 1999; Schroeder & Gordon, 1991; Watson & Gresham, 1998). Applied behavior analysts have developed a countless effective interventions for common childhood problems and have repeatedly demonstrated that, even in loosely controlled applied environments, behavior often responds rather quickly to properly managed contingencies. Yet, despite these successes, some have maintained that simply providing repeated demonstrations of the effectiveness of behavioral technology eventually will yield diminishing returns to the field (Kunkel, 1987). The success of an intervention is dependent not only upon its effectiveness but also upon its precise delivery by a clinician and the consistency with which parents and staff implement that treatment with all of its essential

Capuchin Monkeys are found in the neotropical forests of Central America. Animal Diversity Web states that the Capuchins have, "one of the widest ranges of all New World Monkeys. " Capuchin Monkeys are easily adaptable to many different habitats. They can live in a variety of forest types, both wet and dry. The University of Wisconsin Primate Research Center notes that, "All Capuchins live in dense habitats. They are arboreal and usually sleep on a branch. " This being said they can survive in an abundance of areas because of their some special features. These features include strong gripping hands and a grasping tail, giving these monkeys have a wide range of locomotion. They are able to run, leap, and

Intervention: MHP educated Timothy on the importance of exhibiting appropriate behavior. MHP provided skills training to teach Timothy ways to manage his behavior. MHP utilized a behavioral personal contract to give Timothy ownership of his behavior. MHP aided Timothy in identifying negative consequences that can occur as a result of inappropriate behavior. MHP guided Timothy in exploring factors that contribute to his unacceptable behavior. MHP provided Timothy an educational worksheet on setting behavioral goals. MHP used the thought-stopping technique for anger control. MHP asserted positive reinforcements for positive behavior.

I have been working in the Applied Behavior Analysis field since 2007. I have received my certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2015. Prior to that, I held my BCaBA certification since September 2013. I obtained my Master 's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2015. I specialize in program development and implementation for in-home ABA services with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder from ages 18 months to 12 years of age. In addition, I specialize in parent training and staff training in Applied Behavior Analysis principles.

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

Behavior analysts should describe these in detail to the clients, as their cooperation is important for the success of the program. If a behavior analyst is working with an in-home client, she should describe to the client and caregivers the importance of delivering reinforcers consistently and appropriately. She would also have to review safety considerations and stress accurate recording of data by the caregivers. The behavior analyst may be able to better control the environment of an in-home client compared to the environment of a client in a public school. When discussing control of the environment with those involved with a client in a public school, the behavior analyst will need to have the cooperation of everyone involved with the child’s treatment (e.g. teachers, teacher aids, counselors). It may be more difficult for the behavior analyst to determine effective reinforcers of control those reinforcers in a public-school setting. It may also be challenging to obtain resources for the treatment program in such a

Functional behavioral assessment is best understood as the process of trying to solve some of the problems that are brought about or linked to the behaviors of an individual. Functional behavioral assessment majorly dwells on the systematic study of an individual’s behavior over a period of time so as to best understand how the problem can be controlled or how the behavior is resulting into the problem. The process normally requires appropriate integration so as to make sure that the existing problems are solved effectively.

Applied Behavior Analysis analysts are required to know the steps that are needed and necessary for behavior modification. This type of modification requires a clear definition of the behavior needing modification (target behavior), how this will benefit the individual in need of the modification, a clear plan of modification, and consistent data gathering to determine the effectiveness of the proposed behavior modification plan. In order to achieve a successful modification plan, the ABA professional first needs to gather information about the individual either by direct or indirect means. The modification must always been in the best interest of the individual, or those closest to the individual, and it must be a functional modification that can be carried out in the absence of the analyst. The ABA professional needs to understand the needs of each client. In order to do this, the professional will have to assess the behavior, gather data, identify a target behavior, propose a hypothesis about an intervention, implement the modification program, gather more data about the effectiveness of the program, and report about the outcome.

Behavioral analyst main goal is to better the lives of the individuals they serve. Improving the life for these individuals could mean teaching independence, modifying severe behavior, or giving clients environmental accommodations. Improving behavior consists of defining the baseline for a behavior and analyzing if a behavior meets the needs for change (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2014). Measurement is needed in order to keep record of behavior and to analyze any behavior improvements. Among Procedures for defining the correct type of measurement for a behavior, defining the social validity and importance of behavior is also relevant for determining if an intervention was applicable to the client.

In applied behavior analysis behaviorists use techniques such as functional behavior assessment (FBA), to create functionally-based interventions that target maladaptive behavior. The goal of an FBA is to identify the conditions that predict behavior and the consequences that maintain behavior (Carr et al., 2002). If the link between antecedent, behavior, and consequence can be established, it will be possible to alter a behavior by changing its predictive stimuli and maintaining consequences (Bender, 2015). After forming this link by collecting data, a behavior intervention plan (BIP) will be created to diminish problem behavior (Bender, 2015). This BIP must target the function of the behavior and

A 6-week inservice program focusing on the principles of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement was implemented. The study was designed to evaluate the use of behavior management strategies in the classroom, and positive results were found in the decrease in restraints and crisis incidents. Crisis incidents were defined as a child being required to leave the classroom because of unacceptable behavior, e.g., persistent noncompliance. As the revised treatment module began to work, community special education programs began to send students for short term diagnostic placements, and a plan is in development for "transition classrooms" intended for children who no longer need intensive treatment but are not yet ready to return to the community. Applied behavior analysis provides teachers with methods for encouraging positive behaviors and coping with undesirable ones.