Calculate the ethical complexity of representative case studies based upon the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts and the 7-Step Model.
GEL-1.02: Demonstrate college-level communication through the composition of original materials in Standard English.
For this week’s assignment, you will write an essay that will serve as your statement to your state ethics board regarding the ethical dilemma presented in the case scenario and the approaches you took to try to resolve the dilemma.
Scenario:
You obtained your Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) certification 3-months ago. You went from working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), as you accumulated your required supervised fieldwork hours, to a position as a BCaBA with the same company. Suddenly, you had more authority to make decisions regarding your clients’ treatment programs, as well as an increased case load.
Shortly after you took on your new role as a BCaBA, you met with the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who is supervising you to discuss expectations regarding your new position. During the meeting, your supervisor said that the company manager has a requirement that you request 10-hours per week of one-on-one therapy for each new client the company serves when submitting your requests for hours to your clients’ insurance providers. Your supervisor also told you that you will be training RBTs to implement the behavior intervention plans (BIPs) so that you can oversee as many clients as possible. From your experience working with your current clients, you realized that not every client requires 10-hours of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy per week and you asked, “What if each new client does not require that many therapy hours?” Your supervisor responded that it is an unwritten company policy. Suddenly, you were faced with an ethical dilemma and you had to decide how best to handle the situation.
Before writing your essay, complete the Seven Step Model to Analyzing Complex Ethical Issues template. Then, use the scenario and the information included in your Seven Step Model to write a 4-5 page essay, not including title and reference pages, addressing the following:
The ethical dilemma (Summarize the case.)
The relevant codes in this case based upon the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) “Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts.”
The Ethical Level of Complexity of the case based upon the “Complexity Matrix” discussed in Chapter 3 of your textbook. Provide your rationale for your decision.
Identify the “players” in this case and discuss the risks to each of not resolving the ethical issue(s), as well as the risks involved in attempting to resolve the issue(s).
Explain each of your contingency plans (Plans A, B, and C) to resolve this dilemma and discuss whether you have the skills and the “clout” to carry out each plan.
Explain how you documented each step in your approaches to resolve the ethical dilemma, i.e., evidence of your honorable intentions, and why this documentation is important.
Writing Requirements and Assignment Guidelines
Your Assignment should be a 5-6 page expository essay, not including the Title and Reference pages, and should include the following elements:
Title page: Provide your name, title of Assignment, course and unit number, and date
Body: Answer the questions in complete sentences and paragraphs
The assignment must be written in Standard English and demonstrate superior organization, including a highly developed viewpoint and purpose.
The communication of your thoughts must be highly ordered, logical, and unified, displaying exceptional content, organization, style, and mechanics (including the use of correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure).
Include your Seven Step Model with your essay,
Reference Page: Sources in APA format
Use Arial or Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced
Use the current edition APA Formatting and Citation style
If you need assistance with APA style, please visit the Writing Center.
