Professional Ethics for Behavior Analysts in the Practice of Behavioral Pediatrics

J. Chris McGinnis, PhD, BCBA-D, IBA  

THIS COURSE

This 3-CEU continuing education course reviews the current Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts and offers guidance as to its relevance for the practice of behavioral pediatrics. The BACB’s RBT Ethics Code 2.0 and Code-Enforcement Procedures are also covered. A 15-question test follows, on which you must make 80% correct to earn credit.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this course, the participant will be able to a) list the four core principles as characterized in the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, b) conduct a self-evaluation of professional competence for a given clinical concern, c) with Standard 1.02 in mind, describe how the behavioral pediatrics treatment avenue of supportive counseling is variously supported in state licensure laws for behavior analysts, d) explain why being culturally competent with respect to viewpoint diversity is important in the provision of behavioral pediatric services, consistent with Standard 1.07, e) list the rights of clients as asserted by Van Houten et al. (1988) and explain how that position statement is reflected in the Code, f) describe how to effectively collaborate with an interdisciplinary team member who advocates for scientifically unsupported treatment for your mutual client, consistent with Standard 2.10, g) list several antecedent manipulations for improving caregiver treatment adherence, consistent with Standard 2.19, and h) list the Code's prohibitions as to use of testimonials and social media.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR

J. Chris McGinnis, PhD, BCBA-D, IBA, is a clinical behavior analyst and psychologist, and author of Introduction to Primary Care Behavioral Pediatrics: A Guide for Behavior Analysts published by Routledge in 2024. He is the Director of the Institute for Behavioral Pediatrics, and CEO of McGinnis Behavioral, a private practice based in Jupiter, Florida, USA. He also serves as an ethicist with the ABA Ethics Hotline.

No part of this course may be reproduced, shared, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the author. The views of the author or the Institute for Behavioral Pediatrics do not necessarily reflect those of the BACB. The BACB, not this CE course or the Institute for Behavioral Pediatrics, is the final authority as to ethical standards and code enforcement procedures. Every attempt has been made by the author at the time of writing to ensure accuracy of all information; some content (e.g., information about licensure laws) may be out of date by the time this content is accessed by the user. The behavior analyst is ultimately responsible for ensuring full compliance with the Code and all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements. By accessing this CE course, the user agrees to hold the Institute for Behavioral Pediatrics and the author of this CE course harmless. The author thanks Cara L. Shapiro, MS, BCBA for her assistance with the state licensure laws compilation project.                                                                                                                                                                                    

© 2024 Institute for Behavioral Pediatrics. All Rights Reserved.