Creating Behavioral Systems to Support Ethical Behavior in

Creating Behavioral Systems to Support Ethical Behavior in Autism Treatment Brodhead, Cox, and Quigley (2018)

Chapter Overview • Behavioral systems analysis and the BACB Ethics Code • A brief introduction to behavioral systems analysis • Six steps of behavioral systems analysis • Case examples of behavioral systems analysis

Behavioral Systems Analysis and the BACB Ethics Code

Behavioral Systems Analysis and the BACB Ethics Code • Behavior analytic services are delivered across many settings, communities, and cultures • The application of the BACB Ethical and Compliance Code is likely to be different across settings, communities, and cultures • There are few to no published behavior analytic resources that describe how settings, communities, and cultures may influence ethical behavior of behavior analysts

Behavioral Systems Analysis and the BACB Ethics Code • Knowing and understanding an ethical code does not ensure ethical behavior • If the BACB Code were effective in isolation, unethical behavior would not occur • Ethical behavior must be taught, like other classes of behavior • Behavioral systems analysis may provide the tools to align practitioner behavior with the BACB Code across settings, communities, and cultures

A Brief Introduction to Behavioral Systems Analysis

Behavioral Systems Analysis Introduction • System • “An organized, integrated, unified set of components, accomplishing a particular set of ultimate goals or objectives” (Malott & Garcia, 1987, p. 127) • Systems are purposeful and include processes that describe observable behavior • Community-based autism services designed to improve social interactions • Functional analysis of self-injury (Iwata, Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman, & Richman, 1982/1994)

Behavioral Systems Analysis Introduction • Behavioral system • A system that involves human behavior (Malott & Garcia, 1987) • Ethics behavioral system • One or more individuals work to accomplish goals related to ethical behavior • When collaborating with teachers in a public-school setting, the behavior analyst will respect the values and opinions of interdisciplinary professionals

Behavioral Systems Analysis Introduction • Behavioral systems analysis • The “design, evaluation, and modification of systems to help [organizations] accomplish their objectives” (Malott & Garcia, 1987, p. 133) • A series of behaviors that allow organizations to • Identify deficits in the ethical behavior of its employees • Develop systems to meet goals / objectives • Analyze outcomes to improve ethical behavior

Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis

Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis • Analyze • Evaluation of natural contingencies • Identify variables that hinder desired performance / maintain undesired performance • The Performance Diagnostic Checklist – Human Services (PDC-HS; Carr et al. , 2013) is a useful tool

Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis • Specify • Describe the desired performance objectives and goals • Descriptions should be observable and measurable, and should be accomplishments

Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis • Design • This is the phase where the BCBA describes the intervention procedures that will bring about behavior change • The intervention should be based upon the analysis and linked to the desired performance • The intervention should be sufficiently described so that others can implement it

Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis • Implement • The intervention is put into place • When implementing with others, consideration for training practices should be given

Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis • Evaluate • Measuring the impact of the intervention • Outcomes of the intervention should influence future parameters of the intervention to ensure optimal outcomes

Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis • Recycle • Indicates the process of analyze, specify, design, implement, and evaluate should be repeated to reach optimal performance • The six steps do not need to be followed in a linear process once an intervention has been implemented. For example, a change to performance standards (i. e. , step 2) may not be necessary in order to change the design and implementation

Case Examples of Behavioral Systems Analysis

Case Example #1 • Setting • Center-based autism clinic • Fifty plus individuals • Primarily funded through private insurance • Problem • The clinical director has concern some employees are not emitting behavior consistent with the Ethics Code • Multiple relationship • Scientifically-supported interventions • Documentation

Case Example #1 • Specify • Provide ongoing training and supervision of ethical behavior • Support a culture where ethical behavior is openly discussed • Design / Implement • • • Ethics coordinator to support the goals Individual training and supervision for staff at multiple levels Increase dialogue about ethics scenarios Database of ethical scenarios encountered at the organization Group training and supervision

Case Example #1 • Evaluate • Fidelity and quality of trainings and supervision • Frequency of ethical scenarios related to original concerns • Analysis of how ethical scenarios were resolved

Case Example #2 • Setting • Special education consulting firm • Supports individuals in receiving special education services • Works with many different professional from various disciplines • Problem • A BCBA attended an individualized education plan (IEP) meeting • The BCBA was combative with other team members because they did not utilize behavior analytic language, nor recommend interventions from behavior analytic literature • Concern that Code 1. 0, 2. 0 and 2. 03 were violated

Case Example #2 • Specify • BCBAs will respect the values and opinions of interdisciplinary professionals • Design / Implement • Task analysis that guides BCBAs through a series of questions to maintain professional relationships • Training to utilize the task analysis

Case Example #2 • Evaluate • Fidelity and quality of trainings • Accuracy of using the task analysis in natural settings • Feedback from stakeholders regarding BCBA behaviors specific to valuing and respecting interdisciplinary team members

Case Example #3 • Setting • Home-based autism services • Largely funded by state insurance • Robustness of services were often limited by budget constraints from the state • Problem • Services were initiated • The BCBA conducted an assessment, developed a treatment plan, and implemented the plan with minimal input from the family • English was a second language for the family • There is concern Codes 1. 05 c and 3. 03 have been violated

Case Example #3 • Specify • BCBAs will always obtain client consent prior to assessment and treatment • BCBAs will always choose culturally appropriate assessments and interventions • Design / Implement • • Process, including specific forms, was developed for obtaining consent Development of culturally appropriate versions of the forms Partnership with a non-profit interpreter agency Training regarding cultural awareness

Case Example #3 • Evaluate • Percent of consent forms signed prior to assessment and treatment • Frequency of adaptions of treatment plans to reflect cultural variables • Feedback from community stakeholders regarding cultural awareness