Chapter 18:
Avoiding the “Slippery
Slope” of Ethical
Problems by Using a
Declaration of
Professional Services
Overview

Introduction

Go over each section of the document

Go over similar documents from the
psychology and the medical field

Questions

References
Wouldn’t it be great if
everyone followed the rules?
 To prevent ethics problems
from occurring, the solution
that the authors propose is
the use of the “Declaration
of Professional Practice and
Procedures for Behavior
Analyst?
Parts of the document:

Area of Expertise

Professional Relationship, Limitations and
Risks

Client Responsibilities

Code of Conduct

Confidentiality

Appointments, Fees and Emergencies
Area of Expertise

Clients should know basic academic
information about you

How long you have been in the field

Specialty
Professional Relationship,
Limitations and Risks
What I do

Explain basis for behavior analysis
services

Work with clients and rely on client’s
input

Treating client and others
Professional Relationship,
Limitations and Risks
Professional Relationship,
Limitations and Risks
How I Work

Work to achieve important life goals for
the client

Important to state to parents that we do
not make judgments about behavior

We reach out to parents, teachers and
other individuals who are significant in
client’s life (with permission)

We are not in the cure business and do
not guarantee results
Professional Relationship,
Limitations and Risks
Client Responsibilities

Expect full co-operation, honesty and
involvement in clients treatment

Honesty and accuracy of data

Drugs and Medication that the client might
be on

Include policy on keeping to appointments,
tardiness, etc.
Client Responsibilities
Code of Conduct

Make sure clients are aware of the strict
Guidelines for Responsible Conduct

Make a copy of the guidelines and highlight
key sections

Direct them to the BCBA website and make
them aware of it

Important to include a statement on gift and
invitation to personal events/parties
Code of Conduct
Confidentiality

Inform clients that any information they
disclose to you will be kept confidential

Inform clients of the limits to confidentiality

Check local laws on abuse and neglect to be
included in your declaration

http://www.nj.gov/dcf/abuse/how/
Confidentiality
Appointments, Fees and
Emergencies

Spell out details on how appointments are
made, how billing is handled and how what
happens when emergencies occur

Rule for phone calls-giving out cell phone
numbers? What rules do you have in place
for this?

How is billing done? And state who should
be contacted if there are implications.
Appointments, Fees and
Emergencies
Discussion, Agreement,
Signatures, Date, and
Distribute

The client and the behavior analyst should
sign the declaration

Witness should be present to ensure
signatures are authentic

Date document

Provide a copy for the family and one to
keep in your files
Discussion, Agreement,
Signatures, Date, and
Distribute
Universal Declaration Ethical
Principles for Psychologist

Respect for the dignity of persons and
people

Competent caring for the well-being of
persons and people

Integrity

Professional and scientific responsibilities to
society
Declaration of Professional
Responsibility Medicine’s
Social Contract with
Humanity
Questions?
References
•
American Medical Association, (2001). Declaration of Professional
Responsibility http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physicianresources/medical-ethics/declaration-professional-responsibility.page
American Psychological Association, (2008). Universal Declaration Ethical
Principles for Psychologist
http://www.apa.org/international/pi/2008/10/gauthier.aspx
•
Bailey, J.S., & Burch, M. R. (2010). Twenty-five essential skills & strategies
for the professional behavior analyst. New York: Routledge Publishing.
•
Behavior Analyst Certification Board Guidelines for Responsible
Conduct (new 4th edition)
http://www.bacb.com/index.php?page=57