1. Brodhead, Cox, and Quigley (2018)
Creating Behavioral Systems to Support Ethical Behavior in Autism Treatment
Brodhead, Cox, and Quigley (2018)

2. Chapter Overview Behavioral systems analysis and the BACB Ethics Code
A brief introduction to behavioral systems analysis
Six steps of behavioral systems analysis
Case examples of behavioral systems analysis

3. Behavioral Systems Analysis and the BACB Ethics Code

4. Behavioral Systems Analysis and the BACB Ethics Code
Behavior analytic services are delivered across many settings, communities, and cultures
The application of the BACB Ethical and Compliance Code is likely to be different across settings, communities, and cultures
There are few to no published behavior analytic resources that describe how settings, communities, and cultures may influence ethical behavior of behavior analysts

5. Behavioral Systems Analysis and the BACB Ethics Code
Knowing and understanding an ethical code does not ensure ethical behavior
If the BACB Code were effective in isolation, unethical behavior would not occur
Ethical behavior must be taught, like other classes of behavior
Behavioral systems analysis may provide the tools to align practitioner behavior with the BACB Code across settings, communities, and cultures

6. A Brief Introduction to Behavioral Systems Analysis

7. Behavioral Systems Analysis Introduction
“An organized, integrated, unified set of components, accomplishing a particular set of ultimate goals or objectives” (Malott & Garcia, 1987, p. 127)
Systems are purposeful and include processes that describe observable behavior
Community-based autism services designed to improve social interactions
Functional analysis of self-injury (Iwata, Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman, & Richman, 1982/1994)

8. Behavioral Systems Analysis Introduction
A system that involves human behavior (Malott & Garcia, 1987)
Ethics behavioral system
One or more individuals work to accomplish goals related to ethical behavior
When collaborating with teachers in a public-school setting, the behavior analyst will respect the values and opinions of interdisciplinary professionals

9. Behavioral Systems Analysis Introduction
The “design, evaluation, and modification of systems to help [organizations] accomplish their objectives” (Malott & Garcia, 1987, p. 133)
A series of behaviors that allow organizations to
Identify deficits in the ethical behavior of its employees
Develop systems to meet goals / objectives
Analyze outcomes to improve ethical behavior

10. Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis

12. Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis
Analyze
Evaluation of natural contingencies
Identify variables that hinder desired performance / maintain undesired performance
The Performance Diagnostic Checklist – Human Services (PDC-HS; Carr et al., 2013) is a useful tool

13. Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis
Specify
Describe the desired performance objectives and goals
Descriptions should be observable and measurable, and should be accomplishments

14. Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis
Design
This is the phase where the BCBA describes the intervention procedures that will bring about behavior change
The intervention should be based upon the analysis and linked to the desired performance
The intervention should be sufficiently described so that others can implement it

15. Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis
Implement
The intervention is put into place
When implementing with others, consideration for training practices should be given

16. Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis
Evaluate
Measuring the impact of the intervention
Outcomes of the intervention should influence future parameters of the intervention to ensure optimal outcomes

17. Six Steps of Behavioral Systems Analysis
Recycle
Indicates the process of analyze, specify, design, implement, and evaluate should be repeated to reach optimal performance
The six steps do not need to be followed in a linear process once an intervention has been implemented. For example, a change to performance standards (i.e., step 2) may not be necessary in order to change the design and implementation

18. Case Examples of Behavioral Systems Analysis

19. Case Example #1 Setting Problem Center-based autism clinic
Fifty plus individuals
Primarily funded through private insurance
Problem
The clinical director has concern some employees are not emitting behavior consistent with the Ethics Code
Multiple relationship
Scientifically-supported interventions
Documentation

20. Case Example #1 Specify Design / Implement
Provide ongoing training and supervision of ethical behavior
Support a culture where ethical behavior is openly discussed
Design / Implement
Ethics coordinator to support the goals
Individual training and supervision for staff at multiple levels
Increase dialogue about ethics scenarios
Database of ethical scenarios encountered at the organization
Group training and supervision

21. Case Example #1 Evaluate
Fidelity and quality of trainings and supervision
Frequency of ethical scenarios related to original concerns
Analysis of how ethical scenarios were resolved

22. Case Example #2 Setting Problem Special education consulting firm
Supports individuals in receiving special education services
Works with many different professional from various disciplines
Problem
A BCBA attended an individualized education plan (IEP) meeting
The BCBA was combative with other team members because they did not utilize behavior analytic language, nor recommend interventions from behavior analytic literature
Concern that Code 1.0, 2.0 and 2.03 were violated

23. Case Example #2 Specify Design / Implement
BCBAs will respect the values and opinions of interdisciplinary professionals
Design / Implement
Task analysis that guides BCBAs through a series of questions to maintain professional relationships
Training to utilize the task analysis

25. Case Example #2 Evaluate Fidelity and quality of trainings
Accuracy of using the task analysis in natural settings
Feedback from stakeholders regarding BCBA behaviors specific to valuing and respecting interdisciplinary team members

26. Case Example #3 Setting Problem Home-based autism services
Largely funded by state insurance
Robustness of services were often limited by budget constraints from the state
Problem
Services were initiated
The BCBA conducted an assessment, developed a treatment plan, and implemented the plan with minimal input from the family
English was a second language for the family
There is concern Codes 1.05c and 3.03 have been violated

27. Case Example #3 Specify Design / Implement
BCBAs will always obtain client consent prior to assessment and treatment
BCBAs will always choose culturally appropriate assessments and interventions
Design / Implement
Process, including specific forms, was developed for obtaining consent
Development of culturally appropriate versions of the forms
Partnership with a non-profit interpreter agency
Training regarding cultural awareness

28. Case Example #3 Evaluate
Percent of consent forms signed prior to assessment and treatment
Frequency of adaptions of treatment plans to reflect cultural variables
Feedback from community stakeholders regarding cultural awareness