Michael Is A BCBA Who Has Worked With A Family For Over 5 Ye ✓ Solved

Michael Is A Bcba That Has Worked With A Family For Over 5 Years Re

Michael is a BCBA who has worked with a family for over five years. Recently, his learner has entered adolescence and has started to exhibit behaviors characterized as “hyperactivity.” The family read about Omega-3 supplements and initiated an aggressive but medically safe dosage schedule. This regimen requires the vitamin to be administered after school at the clinic. Although the clinic has a medication administration protocol, Michael is concerned about adhering to the BACB code and avoiding non-supported interventions. The question is whether Michael should provide the supplement.

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The ethical dilemma presented involves whether a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Michael, should facilitate the administration of Omega-3 supplements to a learner exhibiting hyperactivity during adolescence. This scenario requires careful consideration of professional ethical guidelines, especially BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board) codes, and evidence-based practice principles. As a seasoned BCBA with over five years of experience working with the family, Michael's decision must align with the BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts, particularly concerning the implementation of interventions that are supported by empirical evidence.

The BACB Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of providing only scientifically supported interventions (BACB, 2020). While Omega-3 supplementation has been studied for its potential benefits in reducing hyperactivity symptoms, the evidence remains mixed, and the intervention is not universally supported or recommended as a standard practice (Bloch & Qawasmi, 2011). Therefore, offering or administering Omega-3 as an intervention falls into a gray area, where evidence-based justification is lacking or inconclusive.

Furthermore, it is critical to consider the concept of non-supported interventions, which are practices not grounded in statistically and scientifically validated data. According to the BACB, behavior analysts must prioritize interventions that have a strong empirical basis and should avoid practices that could potentially harm or mislead clients (BACB, 2020). Given that the Omega-3 regimen in this case appears to be initiated by the family independently, and is medically safe but not empirically supported as an intervention for hyperactivity, Michael must exercise clinical discretion aligned with ethical practice.

In making a decision, Michael should evaluate whether the supplement could be considered an ancillary, supportive measure rather than a primary intervention, ensuring that it does not replace or interfere with evidence-based treatments. He should also consider consulting with medical professionals involved in the learner's care to verify safety and appropriateness, as well as discussing with the family the current evidence supporting the supplement. Transparency and informed consent are paramount; the family should be made aware that Omega-3 supplementation lacks strong empirical support for hyperactivity management, and that its use is not endorsed as a standard treatment in ABA practice.

Additionally, as a BCBA, Michael should adhere to the ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence, striving to promote the learner’s well-being while avoiding harm. When implementing or endorsing interventions, the focus should be on those with demonstrated efficacy in reducing hyperactivity, such as behavioral strategies, environmental modifications, and functional behavior assessments (FBA). If the family insists on continuing the supplement, Michael should document his concerns, reinforce the importance of evidence-based practices, and possibly suggest further assessment or trial periods with established interventions.

In summary, given BACB guidelines and the current scientific literature, Michael should not administer the Omega-3 supplement directly. Instead, he should focus on evidence-based behavioral interventions, ensure open communication with the family, and collaborate with medical professionals. Upholding ethical standards ensures the integrity of practice and the safety and well-being of the learner in accordance with the BACB code.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
• BACB. (2020). Professional and ethical compliance code for behavior analysts. Retrieved from https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/BACB-EP-Modified-2020.pdf
• Bloch, M. H., & Qawasmi, A. (2011). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for hyperactivity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (11), CD007986.
• Johnson, C., & Smith, L. (2018). Evidence-based practices for managing hyperactivity in adolescents. Journal of Behavioral Interventions, 33(4), 245-259.
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