Behavior analysis

Numerous controversial treatments are promoted for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. In the Week 3 paper, you discussed a controversial treatment that is evidence-based and behavior analytic. In this assignment, you will focus on a controversial treatment that is not evidence based or behavior-analytic. Because of this, it cannot be recommended or implemented by a BCBA.

For this assignment, you will be assigned a non-behavior analytic controversial procedure. The assigned treatment is posted in the announcements. You cannot choose your own procedure. You must also only use the articles provided in the announcement.

Assignment Guidelines

This assignment has two parts: a video presentation (five minutes maximum) and a written reflection.

In the video, you will role-play a mock conversation with a client’s family about the assigned treatment. You will not use a real client. You may use a friend or family member to play the caregiver, or you can complete the role-play on your own by either saying both parts of the conversation or saying only your part and pausing when it would be the other person’s turn.

In the reflection, you will explain what you learned from the role-play. You will identify the sources you used, reflect on your conversation, consider the role of soft skills, and discuss which ethics codes are most important when evaluating non–evidence-based treatments.

Together, these parts will help you practice evaluating a controversial treatment, applying the Ethics Code, and communicating with a client's family.

Detailed Instructions

Part 1: Video Presentation

• View the Week 5 topic in the Announcements.
• Read and select at least 3 of the articles from each of the following categories in the Week 5 announcement.
  • One scholarly source about the assigned procedure.
  • One behavior-analytic source on how to determine if a procedure is evidence-based and behavior analytic.
  • One behavior-analytic source on soft skills and/or communication strategies.
• Use the Week 5 Script Template [DOCX] to create a transcript for the hypothetical conversation with a client's family. With the family you will:
  • Explain the assigned controversial treatment and how it is used as a treatment for autism.
  • Discuss one pro and one con of using the controversial treatment as an intervention.
  • Explain how behavior analysts determine if a procedure is behavior-analytic and evidence-based, with an example of a behavior analytic procedure that meets these criteria. Consider providing an example of a treatment that may be an appropriate alternative to this controversial treatment.
    • When determining if a procedure is behavior analytic, consider the seven dimensions of ABA and if the treatment meets the criteria of all seven.
  • Explain the importance of using evidence-based and behavior-analytic strategies.
  • Select at least three BACB ethics codes from the following list that would be violated if the treatment were implemented: Week 5 Ethics Codes [PDF].
    • For each code, state the code number, title, and a brief description, and explain how implementing the treatment would violate the code.
• Record a video role-playing the conversation (5 minutes maximum).
  • You may use a friend/family member to play the other role. If no one is available, record yourself reading both parts.
  • Do NOT use a real client's family; this is a hypothetical conversation.
• Upload your video to Canvas “My Media” to obtain a Kaltura link that will go in your reflection paper. See the Upload Media and Get Kaltura LinkLinks to an external site. tutorial on how to do this.

Part 2: Written Reflection

Write a 2–3 page paper (using the Week 5 Reflection Paper Template [DOCX]). You must have a minimum of three scholarly sources:

1. One scholarly source about the assigned procedure.
2. One behavior-analytic source on how to determine if a procedure is evidence-based and behavior analytic.
3. One behavior-analytic source on soft skills and/or communication strategies.

Use APA-style in-text citations throughout the paper and provide complete references. All references must be accurate and verifiable based on the information as it appears in your paper.

Complete the following:

Kaltura Link for Video Presentation

• In the first section of the paper, please include your Kaltura link. Before submitting the assignment, double check that the link works.

Use of Scholarly Sources

• Complete the following and be sure to use APA-formatted in-text citations.
  • Describe and explain which articles were used to:
    • Describe the procedure and identify the pro and con.
    • Evaluate whether the procedure is evidence-based and behavior analytic.
    • Support your communication strategies (for example, soft skills).

Reflection of the Conversation

• Although this was a hypothetical conversation, reflect on what thoughts or feelings you might experience if you were to have this conversation in real life and what communication strategies are necessary. Support your reflection with scholarly sources on soft skills and communication (use APA in-text citations).
  • Discuss how you would explain the importance of evidence based and behavior analytic interventions (that is, what soft skills, how would you adjust your tone, what kind of language you would use).
  • Consider how it might feel to explain that a requested treatment cannot be implemented.
  • Discuss one concern you would have when having this type of conversation and one priority.

Ethics Codes

• Briefly list and describe all three relevant ethics codes (number, title, description) you selected from the provided list. Make sure to cite the code.
• Briefly explain how each could be violated.
• Identify one code you would consider as the highest priority when addressing non-evidence-based interventions.