Ethical Decision Making in Applied Behavior Analysis

by Ilene S Schwartz PH D Bcba-D, Elizabeth M Kelly PH D

Overview

Prepare students in applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs to navigate the complex ethical issues they’ll face in their professional practice. Aligned with the Behavior Analysis Certification Board’s most recent ethics code, this is the most student-friendly, accessible, and up-to-date ABA ethics text available.

Comprehensive and expertly organized, this core text addresses the successes and controversies of ABA head-on, highlights current best practices, and prepares professionals to apply the BACB Ethics Code across clinical, school, community, and home-based settings. Readers will receive foundational knowledge on the diverse factors and considerations influencing ethical behavior in ABA, plus opportunities to interact with real case studies to help them practice decision-making that centers their clients’ well-being. Packed with engaging, interactive features, this book is also an invaluable professional reference to help behavior specialists address ethical issues in their everyday practice with clients of all ages.

Student-friendly features include:

• Learning objectives: Start each chapter with a clear outline of goals.
• Pause and Reflect prompts: Use these reflection exercises individually, in small groups, in class, or in online discussion forums.
• Talk the Talk scenarios: Practice how to approach difficult conversations from an ethical standpoint.
• Ethical Workouts: Use sample scenarios to practice step-by-step application of an ethical decision-making process.
• Downloadable worksheet: Get a six-step Ethical Decision-Making Worksheet, perfect for practice scenarios or use in the field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681253237
Publisher:	Brookes, Paul H. Publishing Company
Publication date:	03/14/2025
Edition description:	First Edition, New ed.
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	7.08(w) x 9.92(h) x 0.57(d)

About the Author

Dr. Schwartz is Professor of Special Education and Director of the Haring Center at the University of Washington. Dr. Schwartz is also the Director of Project DATA (Developmentally Appropriate Treatment for Autism), a school—based early intervention intensive behavioral intervention program for children with autism. She has an extensive background working with young children with special needs and their families, specifically with young children with autism and related disabilities.

Dr. Schwartz is the director of the Applied Behavior Analysis Program at the UW, and is dedicated to creating high quality inclusive schools so that all children, regardless of their background or ability, can attend the school of their choice and receive a high quality education.

Dr. Schwartz has published numerous chapters and articles about early childhood education and social validity. She serves on the editorial review boards of Topics in Early Childhood Special Education and the Journal of Early Intervention.

Table of Contents

About the Online Materials

About the Authors

Preface

Acknowledgments

 

Chapter 1: Introduction to Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis

Chapter 2: Applying Ethics in Your Everyday Practice

Chapter 3: Introduction to the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts

Chapter 4: The Ethical Decision-Making Process

Ethical Workout 1: Process Example

Chapter 5: Responsibility as a Professional

Ethical Workout 2: Multiple Relationships

Chapter 6: Responsibility in Practice

Ethical Workout 3: Matching Services to Needs

Chapter 7: Responsibility to Clients and Stakeholders

Ethical Workout 4: Right versus Right Dilemma

Chapter 8: Responsibility to Supervisees and Trainees

Ethical Workout 5: Supervisor Responsibility

Chapter 9: Responsibility in Public Statements

Ethical Workout 6: Confidentiality

Chapter 10: Responsibility in Research

Ethical Workout 7: Research Responsibilities

Chapter 11: Putting It All Together

Appendix A: Historical Missteps

Appendix B: Ethical Decision-Making Worksheet

Appendix C: Implicit Association Test (IAT) for Disability and Race: Outcomes and Reflections

 

References