M.Brooks_Ethics Discussion Paper

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Ethics Discussion Paper Meranda C. Brooks SPCE 619 Ball State University

Summary of Intervention Functional communication training (FCT) is a way of replacing an inappropriate way of communicating with an appropriate way of communicating that achieves the same thing. For example, teaching a non-verbal client how to use ASL to communicate that they are all done with an activity, or that they are hungry instead of yelling or throwing objects. The problem behavior will be put on extinction to no longer be reinforced (Tiger et al., 2008), while approximations of the new form of communication will be reinforced. FCT’s should be adjusted appropriately to cater to the client’s ability to operate. This can mean using picture exchange communication system (PECS), ASL, gestures, or approximations of words while they learn the word. FCTs must transfer through 3 steps before in can be implemented as a part of the intervention, the first is conducting an analysis to determine the function of the behavior to confirm if its due to difficulty communicating. The second is determining what the appropriate communication is to replace the maladaptive behavior. And finally, the third is to implement the FCT and make sure that it is generalized across people and places (Tiger et al., 2008). Adept to generality is one of the seven dimensions of applied behavior analysis (ABA), this means that the behavior can be sustained over a long period of time throughout multiple environments, situations, and people (Baer et al., 1987). For a treatment to be effective then it needs to be generalizable, if the treatment plan only works in a clinic setting then that is not helping the client’s quality of life, especially when it comes to the use of FCTs because it involves communication.

Conduct a Risk Benefit Analysis The overall risk of any behavioral intervention pertains to cost. ABA can be expensive, and not all insurance companies will cover ABA therapy. This can make it very difficult for those from low-income families, and those who lack insurance. Time is another risk associated with ABA in general. ABA therapy is very time consuming and can make it difficult for clients and their caregivers to maneuver their schedules to accommodate (Leaf et al., 2021). A big risk of FCT is incorrect implementation, if it is not implemented correctly then it can increase unwanted behavior. Another risk of FCT is that usually the first step is to prompt the FCT, which could lead to prompt dependence. The next risk of FCT is the capabilities of the person implementing it, if it is not done consistently and properly each time then the FCT intervention will be unsuccessful and lead to erratic increase in maladaptive behavior. FCTs come with a lot of benefits in replacing maladaptive behavior. FCTs are used to replace maladaptive behaviors with more appropriate behaviors that allow the client to communicate their needs in a safer, more sociably acceptable manner. The main benefit of using FCTs is to reduce maladaptive and increase communication abilities, this greatly enhances the quality of life. Ethical Considerations 1. Ethics Code 2.01: Providing Effective Treatment

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2. Ethics Code 2.14: Selecting, Designing, and Implementing Behavior Change Interventions 3. Ethics Code 3.01: Responsibility to Clients As a BCBA the ethics codes are very important, the most important code is 2.01 providing effective treatment. This code pertains to the services we provide and how BCBAs should prioritize the needs of the client and protect their rights (BACB, 2020). This means that FCTs should be taught accurately by those who have been trained so that the treatment is accurate and efficient. The next ethics code that is relevant and important is code 2.14 selecting, designing, and implementing behavior change interventions. This code discusses choosing the appropriate behavior change method by 1). Being consistent with behavioral principles, 2). Being sure that all behavior changes are based on scientific evidence, 3). That the behavior change intervention is followed based on the results of assessments, 4). Give precedence to procedures based on positive reinforcement, 5). Be sure to meet the needs and provide the appropriate resources for the client and stakeholders (BACB, 2020). Another ethics code that is relevant is code 3.01 Responsibility to clients. This code discusses the importance of acting in the best interest of the client (BACB, 2020). When it comes to FCTs the BCBAs responsibility is to the client and making sure they are carefully choosing programs within the scope of the client’s ability. This means choosing appropriate forms of communication to use as an FCT, an example could be using the ASL sign for bathroom for a non-verbal client who engages in maladaptive behavior when they need to eliminate, instead of using verbal FCTs.

BCBAs should follow these ethics codes implicitly with all behavior change programs, not just FCTs, but it is even more important to be sure to follow these when replacing maladaptive behavior due to communication with something new. When implementing FCTs it is the BCBAs job to ensure that the client’s needs and capabilities are at the forefront of the treatment, as well as that all who are implementing FCTs is accurately trained and executing them correctly.

References Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1987). Some still-current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 20(4), 313–327. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1987.20-313 Ethics codes. Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2022, January 12). Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://www.bacb.com/ethics-information/ethics-codes/ Leaf, J. B., Cihon, J. H., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., Liu, N., Russell, N., Unumb, L., Shapiro, S., & Khosrowshahi, D. (2021). Correction to: Concerns about ABA-based intervention: An evaluation and recommendations. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(6), 2854–2854. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05200-8 Tiger, J. H., Hanley, G. P., & Bruzek, J. (2008). Functional communication training: A review and practical guide. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1(1), 16–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03391716

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