Ch 7

Question 0

What types of behavioral programs were written by “behavioral specialists?”

Answer 0

People thought they would manipulate “client” behavior just for the convenience of staff. e.g., punishing incontinence so staff didn’t have to change diapers.

Question 1

What did Wyatt vs. Stickney do for persons in institutions?

Answer 1

(Case: institutionalized mental patient had a right to receive individual treatment or be discharged into the community)
Services had to be delivered in humane environments, where there were sufficient qualified staff members and individualized treatment plans, and that the treatment had to be delivered in the least restrictive environment.
Responsibility to person on receiving end of treatment.

Question 2

What is the relationship of a behavior analyst and a client in a two-party agreement?

Answer 2

The client (first party) hires the behavior analyst (second party), and there’s presumably no conflict of interest. The client can fire the behavior analyst if he or she is not satisfied with the services, and the behavior analyst will do her best to satisfy the client’s needs so that the behavior analyst will be paid for her services. There are built-in checks and balances.

Question 3

What is the relationship of a behavior analyst and a client in a third-party agreement?

Answer 3

The behavior analyst is hired by a third-party such as a facility to treat the behavior of one of its residents, and there’s a presumption that the behavior analyst will work to satisfy the needs of the third-party to keep her job.

Question 4

What right did the blue-ribbon task force reach consensus about?

Answer 4

Clients had a right to a “therapeutic environment” where their personal welfare would be of paramount importance and where they had a right to treatment by a “competent behavior analyst” who would conduct behavioral assessment, teach functional skills, and evaluate the treatment. Clients had a right to “the most effective treatments available.”

Question 5

What is the behavior analyst’s responsibility to the client?

Answer 5

To operate in the best interest of clients. Ask yourself, “What is in the best interest of my clients?” and you will make better decisions in the long run.

Question 6

How is client defined?

Answer 6

Whomever the behavior analyst provide services whether an individual person (service recipient), parent or guardian of the service recipient, an institutional representative, a public or private agency, a firm, or a corporation.
Individuals, parents, agencies such as schools and developmental disability facilities, or businesses.

Question 7

What is the rule regarding accepting clients?

Answer 7

Accept as clients only those individuals or entities whose behavior problems or requested services are commensurate with the behavior analyst’s education, training, and experience. If these conditions do not exist, the behavior analyst must function under the supervision of or in consultation with a behavior analyst whose credentials permit working with such behavior problems or services. This second piece is important to ensure that one is operating ethically and avoiding doing any harm.

Question 8

Who are you responsible to?

Answer 8

All parties affected by behavioral services. e.g., in working with a child in a classroom, all principles of ethics must be extended to the child, the parents, and even other children in the student’s classroom.

Question 9

What is the behavior analyst’s responsibility to third parties?

Answer 9

At the outset of service the nature of the relationship with each party should be clarified to the extent feasible. Explain your role and how you think the information you provide can be used, and remind each one of issues of confidentiality.

Question 10

What is the guiding principle regarding individual rights?

Answer 10

You must support the constitutional rights of your clients. There are state to state differences as to what these client rights include.

Question 11

How do permission and consent impact electronic recording?

Answer 11

You must get permission from each client individually and from the administrators of each setting as well. This includes parents, school administrators, case managers, and group home directors. If you plan to use the recordings for some purpose other than therapy, you must obtain permission each time to use the recording.

Question 12

What is meant by confidentiality?

Answer 12

No talking about are sharing data with regard to clients with anyone without their explicit consent. Clients often don’t want other to know about the nature of the disabilities or that they or their family members are receiving treatment. Include information in verbal and written reports only that is directly relevant to behavior change under consideration.

Question 13

When should the limits of confidentiality be discussed?

Answer 13

At the onset of your professional relationship and anytime circumstances change.

Question 14

What is the right to privacy?

Answer 14

Not discussing a client’s case with anyone else without the client’s permission.

Question 15

What does HIPPA do?

Answer 15

Protects any and all of a client’s records the behavior analyst creates, uses, or stores.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

Question 16

What conditions must be met to maintain records?

Answer 16

Only the behavior analyst must have access to where client records are stored, and these must not be shared except with client consent or with professionals to whom the information is pertinent and when all personal information is masked.

Question 17

Under what two conditions may confidential information be disclosed?

Answer 17

Only as mandated by law or where permitted by law for a valid purpose (to provide needed professional services to the individual or organizational client, to obtain appropriate professional consultations, to protect the client or others from harm, or to obtain the payment for services, in which instance disclosure is limited to the minimum that is necessary to achieve that purpose.

Fictitious names, locations, and other identifying information should replace actual information, and it should only be shared with other professionals who may benefit in a scientific sense.

Question 18

What are behavior analysts’ responsibilities regarding treatment efficacy?

Answer 18

The behavior analyst always has responsibility to recommend scientifically supported most effective treatment procedures that have been validated as having both long-term and short-term benefits to clients and society. Clients have a right to effective treatment based on the research literature and adapted to the individual client. Behavior analysts are responsible for review and appraisal of likely effects of all alternative treatments, including those provided by other disciplines and no intervention.

Question 19

What are the rules for documenting professional and scientific work?

Answer 19

Professional and scientific work must be appropriately documented in order to facilitate provision of services later by them or by other professionals, to ensure accountability, and to meet other requirements of institutions or the law. Keep raw data sheets, spreadsheets, and written summaries and reports in a secure location as required by law. Make sure records are complete if they are to be used as part of a court case.

Question 20

When submitting data to professional conferences or publications, what must be documented?

Answer 20

Institutional Review Board (IRB) and/or local human research committee approval and/or confirmation of compliance with institutional requirements.

Question 21

As soon as you establish a professional relationship with the client, what must be done?

Answer 21

The behavior analyst and the client or other appropriate recipient of behavior analytic services reach an agreement specifying the compensation and the billing arrangement.

Question 22

What is a Declaration of Professional Services?

Answer 22

A document specifying the professional’s areas of expertise, professional relationship/limitations/risks client responsibilities, code of conduct, confidentiality, and appointment/fees/emergencies.

Question 23

Is it permissible to accept referral fees?

Answer 23

Referral fees can be excepted but they must be disclosed with the client or agency. Depending on how it’s handled and how often it happens, such situations can border on a conflict of interest.

Question 24

Under what 3 conditions may you terminate a professional relationship?

Answer 24

When it becomes reasonably clear that the client no longer needs the service, is not benefiting, or is being harmed by continued service.

Question 25

When terminating a professional relationship, what must you do?

Answer 25

Discussion of the client’s views and needs, provision of appropriate pre-termination services, suggestions of alternative service providers as appropriate, and taking other reasonable steps to facilitate transfer of responsibility to another provider if the client needs one immediately.