FAQs
FAQS ABOUT SUPERVISION by Dr. Yulema Cruz
Q, 1) Is it ethically acceptable to backdate BACB supervision forms?
A. No, this is not ethically acceptable, as the BACB will not accept backdated or retroactively completed forms (BACB, 2022a, p. 22). This would be a violation of Code element 4.01 Compliance with Supervision Requirements (BACB, 2020).
A. No, this is not ethically acceptable, as the BACB will not accept backdated or retroactively completed forms (BACB, 2022a, p. 22). This would be a violation of Code element 4.01 Compliance with Supervision Requirements (BACB, 2020).
Q, 2) Would it be ethical to terminate a supervision agreement with a trainee who “suggested” that the supervisor “backdate” forms?
A. a. It depends… If the BCBA supervisor addressed the issue with the trainee and they [trainee] have not engaged in the unethical behavior again, there is no reason to terminate the supervisory relationship, as the BCBA would have effectively changed the trainee’s unethical behavior informally, which is the first step that the BACB recommends.
A. a. It depends… If the BCBA supervisor addressed the issue with the trainee and they [trainee] have not engaged in the unethical behavior again, there is no reason to terminate the supervisory relationship, as the BCBA would have effectively changed the trainee’s unethical behavior informally, which is the first step that the BACB recommends.
B. If the trainee engaged in the unethical behavior again, it may be appropriate to review the supervision contract for guidance, and perhaps develop a performance improvement plan for the trainee in accordance with Code element 4.08 Performance monitoring and Feedback (BACB, 2020).
Q, 3) Are BCBA supervisors ethically responsible for how RBTs interact and work when they are working at another company or only when they are working under our direct supervision?
A. As supervisors, it is our responsibility to address ethical violations with our supervisees wherever they are occurring. In fact, if the other employers are BCBAs and we (i.e., current supervisors) have first-hand documentation that they (i.e., our BCBA colleagues) are engaging in ethical violations, it is our responsibility to address these violations directly with them. Code element 1.01 Being Truthful (BACB, 2020).
A. As supervisors, it is our responsibility to address ethical violations with our supervisees wherever they are occurring. In fact, if the other employers are BCBAs and we (i.e., current supervisors) have first-hand documentation that they (i.e., our BCBA colleagues) are engaging in ethical violations, it is our responsibility to address these violations directly with them. Code element 1.01 Being Truthful (BACB, 2020).
B. By not addressing the ethical violations, supervisors may be contributing to them (i.e., turning a blind eye). It is our responsibility to address ethical violations regardless because they will ultimately affect our clients, our reputation, and our field.
Q, 4) Are BCBA supervisors ethically responsible for how RBTs interact and work when they are working at another company or only when they are working under our direct supervision?
A. No, it is not ethical. The BCBA would need to be licensed in the state that requires licensure to practice. It does not matter that the school district does not require BCBAs to become licensed. The state does, which supersedes any school district requirement. Code element 4.01 Compliance with Supervision Requirements (BACB, 2020).
A. No, it is not ethical. The BCBA would need to be licensed in the state that requires licensure to practice. It does not matter that the school district does not require BCBAs to become licensed. The state does, which supersedes any school district requirement. Code element 4.01 Compliance with Supervision Requirements (BACB, 2020).
Q, 5) Is it legal for RBTs to be employed as independent contractors?
A. No, it is not. RBTs must be employees, as they may not practice independently. This is stated on page 27 of the RBT Handbook (BACB, 2022b). Here’s a link: https://www.bacb.com/wpcontent/uploads/2022/01/RBTHandbook_220930.pdf.
A. No, it is not. RBTs must be employees, as they may not practice independently. This is stated on page 27 of the RBT Handbook (BACB, 2022b). Here’s a link: https://www.bacb.com/wpcontent/uploads/2022/01/RBTHandbook_220930.pdf.
Q, 6) Are supervision contracts between companies and trainees acceptable?
A. No, they are not. Supervision contracts should strictly be between the trainee and supervisor or supervisors, as companies are not accountable to the BACB, only certified individuals are.
A. No, they are not. Supervision contracts should strictly be between the trainee and supervisor or supervisors, as companies are not accountable to the BACB, only certified individuals are.
Q, 7) Is it the trainee’s sole responsibility to maintain supervision documentation?
A. No, it is not. This responsibility is shared equally by both the trainee and the supervisor. Code element 4.05 Maintaining Supervision Documentation (BACB, 2020).
A. No, it is not. This responsibility is shared equally by both the trainee and the supervisor. Code element 4.05 Maintaining Supervision Documentation (BACB, 2020).
Q, 8) Is it ethical for a company to give an ultimatum to a trainee to sign a new supervision contract requiring at least 2 years of service for the company post BCBA certification, or no longer be in the supervision program and seek experience hours and supervision elsewhere?
A. For companies this is standard practice. If it was a BCBA who made this decision they could be reported to the BACB. These are called adhesion contracts and may be considered a violation of Code element 1.13 Coercive and Exploitative Relationships (BACB, 2020). In cases like these, it is best to seek the assistance of a contract attorney, as the contract may not be legal in some states.
References
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2020). Ethics code for behavior analysts. https://bacb.com/wp-content/ethics-code-for-behavior-analysts/
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2022a). Board certified behavior analyst handbook. https://bacb.com/wp-content/ethics-code-for-behavior-analysts/
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2022b). Registered behavior technician handbook. https://bacb.com/wp-content/ethics-code-for-behavior-analysts/
Multiple Relationships 1.11
A multiple relationship exists when a behavior analyst is simultaneously in two relationships, for example serving a child client while also friends with the family; the concern is that when it comes time to make professional decisions about the child the behavior analyst may take into account that they are friends with the parents and thus not make a decision that puts the child’s interests first.
Q. a) If a BCaBA supervisor develops a romantic attraction to one of his RBTs and they begin dating is this a problem?
A. Yes, this is a Code Violation.
A. Yes, this is a Code Violation.
Q. b) Is it a violation if the BCBA owner of a small ABA company is supervising her daughter who is working on her RBT supervision hours?
A. Yes, this is a Code Violation.
A. Yes, this is a Code Violation.
Q. c) A RBT is working for a family, and becomes quite close to them, is invited on a family vacation and takes them up on the offer, is this a violation?
A. Yes, another Code Violation.
A. Yes, another Code Violation.
Q. d) When a BCBA working is in a school district, is invited to a Teacher Appreciation Day event and is offered gifts from parents, and the BCBA politely declines indicating this is a violation of her Code of Ethics is this just rude?
A. This was a good decision handled properly, no Code problems here.
A. This was a good decision handled properly, no Code problems here.
Q. e) I know of an employee of an ABA company who just learned that her son has been diagnosed with ASD and approached the clinical director to find out about having him treated at her place of employment, is this a problem?
A. This would be a Code Violation since any behavior analyst working with the child would be entering into a multiple relationship: Code Violation.
A. This would be a Code Violation since any behavior analyst working with the child would be entering into a multiple relationship: Code Violation.
Q. f) A BCBA has a child on the spectrum and wants to know if she can use ABA with him at home (not for pay)?
A. No Code Violation, the BCBA is operating as a well trained parent.
A. No Code Violation, the BCBA is operating as a well trained parent.
Q. g) Is there a difference between a dual-relationship and a multiple relationship?
A. No, not really, dual means two relationships such as BCBA/ friend, multiple would be company owner/BCBA/relative/friend.
A. No, not really, dual means two relationships such as BCBA/ friend, multiple would be company owner/BCBA/relative/friend.
Q. h) What as accepting a gift got to do with multiple relationships?
A. Accepting a gift is the beginning (some call it a “slippery slope”) of a “friends” relationship where people do favors for one another, share gossip, and give each other support. The Code insists on a “No Gifts” policy which includes no sharing meals with the family, not attending birthday parties and of course not accepting gifts or food of any value. One exception is a handmade card from a child client, which has no street value.
A. Accepting a gift is the beginning (some call it a “slippery slope”) of a “friends” relationship where people do favors for one another, share gossip, and give each other support. The Code insists on a “No Gifts” policy which includes no sharing meals with the family, not attending birthday parties and of course not accepting gifts or food of any value. One exception is a handmade card from a child client, which has no street value.
Q. i) What if BCBA becomes attracted to the mother of the child he is seeing? To avoid a multiple relationship, he declares his interest and transfers the case, promptly asking the individual on a date.
A. This is a Code Violation: two-year rule.
A. This is a Code Violation: two-year rule.
Q. j) I know a BCBA who works with a client and is also the baseball coach of the client, is this a violation?
A. Yes the BCBA is both therapist/ coach to the client, a clear dual-relationship and disallowed by the Code.
A. Yes the BCBA is both therapist/ coach to the client, a clear dual-relationship and disallowed by the Code.
Exploitation 1.07
Q. a) What if an employee is seeking supervision at her place of employment but is told all supervisors have no available slots? She approaches one who she works closely with and asks if there is any way an exception to the caseload max could be made, so that she could take her on. The BCBA says – under one condition- that the supervisee serve as her Saturday night babysitter for the duration of supervision?
A. Code violation 1.07 exploitative and violation of bartering (not at supervisee request, not common to area or context, not commensurate)
A. Code violation 1.07 exploitative and violation of bartering (not at supervisee request, not common to area or context, not commensurate)
Defined Professional Relationship 1.05
Q. a) What if a neighbor asks a BCBA to look at her child’s IEP, as the team has recently changed service allocations and the mother is concerned that the new treatment model will not meet his needs.? The BCBA feels odd about it, but wants to be helpful, and stops by the get a copy of the IEP.
A. This would be a violation of Code 1.05 since this is not a a defined, professional relationship.
A. This would be a violation of Code 1.05 since this is not a a defined, professional relationship.