Special Learning Supports Ethics in the Field of (Applied) Behavior Analysis for the Global Autism Community

Website: http://www.abaethicshotline.com/

Why is Ethics an important topic for the field of behavior analysis? At the time this was written, the then-current CDC figure was 1 in 59 children in the U.S. (2018 surveillance). The current CDC estimate is 1 in 31 children (ADDM, 2022 surveillance year). Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a behavioral intervention and one of the most studied approaches for autism. Experts in ABA are called Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). In response to global demand, the increase in the number of BCBAs have swelled, creating unintended consequences for the field of behavior analysis.

Special Learning is proud to partner with Jon Bailey, PhD, BCBA-D, a leading ethicist in behavior analysis, to support his lifelong passion for driving ethical practices among practitioners of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). As global demand for ABA services increases exponentially and the field of ABA races to keep up with the demand, the field is seeing a troubling trend of practitioners turning a blind eye to ethical violations of BCBAs and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), a category of credentialed professionals responsible for implementing ABA programs under the supervision of BCBAs. BCBAs and RBTs are required to adhere to the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. As a "self-policing" field, in order to maintain ethical practices among practitioners, which is critical to ensuring quality of care outcomes, for clients BCBAs and RBTs are required to report ethics violations to the BACB, the governing body for behavior analysts, for further investigation. Sadly, thousands of potential ethics violations go unreported. This is where Dr. Bailey and his ABA Ethics Hotline comes in. The purpose of the ABA Ethics Hotline is to provide ABA practitioners with help and guidance through difficult ethical situations that arise every day in the practice of behavior analysis. Whether a clinician needs guidance on how to approach specific ethical situations, or just looking for confirmation from an "ethicist," this site provides BCBAs and RBTs with an opportunity to interact with experienced, trusted BCBAs and other professionals willing to share their expertise and experience in a meaningful, helpful way. Since the launch of the ABA Ethics Hotline in October 2018, the site has received over 10,000 page views. In response to the unfortunate rise in incidents of healthcare fraud in the field of behavior analysis, the theme for February 2019 is focused on… Ethical Billing.