BCBA Ethical Issues- Jeremys Case

BCBA Ethical Issues- Jeremys Case

First, Jeremy does not adhere to code 5.03: public statements by behavior analysts. According to this code, under section 5: Responsibility in Public Statements, behavior analysts are expected to take appropriate precautions, ensuring that their statements are true and not exaggerated or misleading (BABC, 2020). They are also not supposed to give specific advice concerning the needs of clients on public platforms. However, in this case, Jeremy is listing some of the programs for advertisement that he is not well-versed with. He intends to learn about them as clients request. Therefore, he is not being truthful about the programs the organization is equipped to give to the community. He has also allowed suggestions from a colleague who is not a BCBA who suggests misleading information in the ad about having a clinic that reduces and possibly cures symptoms of autism.

Moreover, Jeremy has violated code 5.01, which requires behavior analysts to take the necessary measures to protect the rights of trainees, supervisees, and clients (BABC, 2020). In this case, Jeremy’s priority is to get noticed in society. He has not prioritized the real needs of the clients before the organization’s needs. As a matter of fact, his colleague suggests listing a program (a clinic that reduces autism) that is not offered in the organization, which is not truthful according to code 5.03 discussed above. This means that the organization’s priority is not the client’s needs but the organization’s needs. According to Bailey & Burch (2016), the first ethical principle for behavior analysts is to do no harm. They argue that harm can be done in subtle ways. One way is when a behavior analyst practices what is not within their area of expertise (Bailey & Burch, 2016). In this case, Jeremy and his colleagues intend to do harm to the clients as they advertise programs outside their expertise.

At the misleading suggestion of the non-BCBA colleague, Jeremy does not prevent him from making deceiving advertisements about the company’s professional activity. He is, therefore, in violation of code 5.04- public statement by others, which requires behavior analysts to strive to prevent other members of the organization from making statements that are deceiving about the company’s professional activities.  Lastly, despite the many violations, Jeremy and his colleagues have adhered to code 5.06- advertising non-behavioral services. This code clearly distinguishes behavioral services from non-behavioral services (BABC, 2020). Subsequently, Jeremy can correct his unethical behaviors by correcting the advertising statement to ensure they only cover what they are professionally trained for. He can also consider the client’s needs first before the organization’s. Moreover, he needs to take responsibility for stopping his colleagues from making deceiving suggestions or advertisements about the organization’s activity.

References

BACB (2020). Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts. https://bacb.com/wp-content/ethics-code-for-behavior-analysts/

Bailey. J.S. & Burch, M.R. (2016). Ethics for Behavior Analysts, 3^rd Edition. New York: Routledge.

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D 224 6

In this unit, you learned about the importance of making accurate public statements about ABA. It is also critical to consider confidentiality in public statements when using testimonials. You must consider social media channels and websites to be sure to only advertise behavior analytic services. Unit 6 also emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights of clients, stakeholders, supervisees, and trainees in all public statements.

BCBA Ethical Issues- Jeremys Case

Scenario

Jeremy is developing his own behavior analytic company, the only one within a radius of 100 miles. He believes his new company will take off due to the high demand of the local population for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services and the distance to other behavior analytic companies.

He has already hired one Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and five Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). The BCBA will conduct the Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and design the behavior intervention plans (BIPs) based on the function of the target behaviors identified through the FBA. Of course, since business is sure to be good, the RBTs may have to assume some responsibility of conducting the FBAs. He can provide them with bonuses based on the additional duties.

Advertising is essential to any new company, and Jeremy wants to get the word out in a big way. He decides to place an ad in all the hometown newspapers listing the services his company will provide. Of course, Jeremy will list acquisition and reduction programs, such as Functional Communication Training (FCT), and since floor time and facilitated communication are so popular now, he will list these as well. He can learn about those therapy approaches as the clients request them. After all, the primary purpose of advertising is to get noticed. He has a colleague who is not a BCBA who suggests advertising that his clinic can significantly minimize autism and possibly cure symptoms.

To ensure the revenue is adequate for the start-up, he will require the BCBA to request a minimum of 10 direct service hours per client per week, providing a healthy beginning.

Discussion

Assess Jeremy’s behavior for adherence to and/or violations of Section 5: Responsibility in Public Statements. Discuss the codes to which he is adhering and those that he is violating. Explain the behaviors he is engaging with that support your assessment. How might Jeremy correct any violations to return to compliance with the Code?