Transcript Document

Welcome Back!!!
Thus far….
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Throughout this unit, you have learned to apply
the theories of behavioral modification to
hypothetical scenarios with clients.
The goal of the ABA professional is to
maximize and enhance the client's functioning;
however, sometimes issues surface regarding
ethical practice.
Discussion Question
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How would you define acting ethically?
Unit 9
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Ethical practice is most simply defined as doing
what is right.
However, sometimes this is not always easy to
determine.
For example, an aversive practice might be
documented as a highly effective intervention, but
ethically, the ABA professional must look at the
benefits and risks of such a practice and determine
whether it is an appropriate and ethical option for
the client.
Unit 9
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In this unit, we will look at some examples of
potential ethical conflicts and how these might
be addressed appropriately.
We also will explore the basic ethical standards
for all practicing ABA professionals.
Unit 9
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Finally, we will become familiar with the major
board and certification options for ABA
professionals.
Proper credentialing and continuing education is
an ethical standard.
Additionally, visiting these ABA Websites will
help you become more familiar with the field,
standards, certification options and
opportunities for employment.
Final Project
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Please start thinking about your Final Project,
which is due by the end of Unit 9.
Your Final Project will consist of an analysis of
questions related to two separate case studies.
Each case will present a problem that you,
the future ABA professional, need to assess.
Final Project
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Each case covers the theories, concepts and
research that we will have discussed this term.
Your answers to the questions should consist of
information from the text and supplemental
readings.
You may also use sources from the UAHSalmon Library or credible Internet sources, but
your primary sources should be the readings
assigned for the course.
Final Project
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Answers to the questions should be typed up in
a Word document, double-spaced in 12 point
font.
Your answers should be 3 to 4 pages for each
case in order to address all required parts of the
Final Project.
Please make sure to use proper APA format to
credit the sources you use in your case study
analysis.
Ethics: Definition
1- the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and
with moral duty and obligation
2- a: a set of moral principles: a theory system of moral
values <e.g., an old-fashioned work ethic>
b: the principles of conduct governing an individual or a
group <professional ethics>
c: a guiding philosophy
d: a consciousness of moral importance
3- plural: a set of moral issues or aspects (as rightness)
<debated the ethics of human cloning>
Code of Ethics
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Different professions have their own code of
ethics that govern practice in working with
consumers
Ethics often includes topics such as:
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Empowerment
Self-determination
Advocacy
Scope of practice
Providing services based on ability to pay
confidentiality
Patient Consent
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Patients must consent to mental health services,
unless patient is a minor, and then parent or
guardian must consent to treatment
Patient must consent for information to be
released
Confidentiality
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What do you think this means?
Confidentiality Defined
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Refers to the consumer’s rights not to have any
information revealed to anyone about their
treatment without their written permission
Limits of Confidentiality
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Actual or suspected child abuse (physical abuse,
sexual abuse, and/or neglect)
Actual or suspected elder or dependent adult
abuse (abandonment, isolation, financial abuse,
and neglect)
Risk to self (suicidal)
Risk to others (homicidal)
Gravely disabled (danger to self or others)
Tarasoff
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1974: Prosinjit Podder, an Indian Graduate student, studying at
Berkeley, begins to date Tatiana Tarasoff. He feels that she is his
intended.
He gets upset when she expresses interest in other men. He goes
to counseling at the University Health Service.
He tells the psychologist, Dr. Moore, that he wants to get a gun
and shoot Tarasoff.
Dr. Moore sends letter to campus police, they investigate Podder,
they think he is not a danger, tell him to avoid Tatiana.
When Tatiana returns from Brazil at the end of summer, Podder
stalks, stabs her to death.
Tarasoff Legal Action
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Parents of Tatiana sue campus police, UC Regents, Health
Service, for failure to warn Tatiana about Podder’s desire to
kill her.
At trial court, case is dismissed (not heard).
California Supreme Court reverses the trial court’s decision,
stating that the trial court must hear the case. Reasoning:
“therapist bears a duty to use reasonable care to give
threatened persons warnings as are essential to avert
foreseeable danger.”
Tarasoff II
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California Supreme Court: “When a therapist
determines, or pursuant to the standards of his
profession should determine, that his patient
presents a serious danger of violence to another,
he incurs an obligation to use reasonable care to
protect the intended victim against such
danger.”
How do you protect a victim,
rather than just warn a victim?
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California Supreme Court: “The discharge of
this duty may require the therapist to take one
or more of various steps. This, it may call for
him to warn the intended victim, to notify the
police, or to take whatever steps are
reasonably necessary under the
circumstances.”
It is also important to
empower your clients.
Why might this be?
How could a professional
do this?
Empowering Clients
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Enables them to recognize their strengths and
abilities
Promotes independence
Enables them to solve problems in the future on
their own and successfully
Some strategies for empowering
clients
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Challenge stereotypes/labels
Treat clients as collaborators
Focus on what clients see as “the problem” and
listen to their viewpoints
Ask about exceptions to the problems and points
of light in their life
Recognize strengths and validate these
Ethics
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Overall, when acting ethically, one might ask
themselves:
What is the right thing to do?
 What is worth doing?
 What does it mean to be a good behavior analyst?
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End goal: Further the welfare of the client
How do you know what is
the right thing to do?
How might one’s own
values and prior
experiences influence
their thoughts on this?
What is the right thing to do?
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Personal history influences our decision making
Personal experiences
 Cultural/religious beliefs
 Professional training and experiences
 To ensure that personal experiences and
cultural/religious beliefs don’t take over, it helps to
consult research literature, case studies, supervisors,
and colleagues
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How do you know
what is worth doing?
What is worth doing?
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Social validity of the intervention
Cost-benefit ratio: Does the potential benefit to
the individual justify the short- and long-term
cost for providing the service?
Existing exigencies: Behaviors that are more
serious warrant intervention consideration
before behaviors that are less problematic
The good behavior analyst….
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Follows the Golden Rule
Is self-regulating
Calibrates decisions over time to meeting
changing cultural values and contingencies
Professional standards
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Written guidelines or rules of practice that
provide direction for the practices associated
with an organization
What are some
professional standards we
discussed last week that
would be important for
ABA professionals to
have?
Professional Standards
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See…
 APA: Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code
of Conduct
 ABA: The Right to Effective Behavioral
Treatment and The Right to Effective Education
 BACB: Guidelines for Responsible Conduct for
Behavior Analysts and The BCBA and BCABA
Behavior Analyst Task List
Ensuring Professional Competence
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Academic training that includes:
Formal coursework
 Supervised practica
 Mentored professional experience
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Certification and licensure
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Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Keep practice within your area of competence
Being Ethical in What you Say
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Avoid making unsubstantiated claims (e.g., “I
am certain I can help your son”)
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Maintain a healthy dose of humility
Only present yourself with valid credentials
(never claim to have certifications, licenses that
you don’t have)
Discussion Question
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Of the ethical guidelines discussed, which ones
seem particularly important? Why?
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Why is adhering to these guidelines important
for treatment success and patient safety?
Great job tonight!
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Any ending questions or comments?