Association for Behavior Analysis International

As Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) begin to apply the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts in 2022, they will note an emphasis on following applicable laws across settings. When applied behavior analysis (ABA) services are delivered in an elementary or secondary school setting and/or as part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), practitioners must adhere to professional ethical practice guidelines as well as comply with federal mandates established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Board-Certified Behavior Analysts may not be aware of IDEA principles because they are not specifically noted in the BACB Task List (5th ed.) and, thus, may not have been included in professional training or coursework. Standards for best practice in ABA service delivery may appear to be in conflict with federal standards for education of individuals with disabilities (e.g., emphasis on least restrictive environment). In this talk, the author (a BCBA-Doctoral and licensed special education administrator in Massachusetts) will discuss historical and current federal mandates that affect ABA service delivery in elementary and secondary education settings in the United States, ethical considerations for service delivery in these settings, and recommendations for providing effective, ethical, comprehensive, and compliant ABA services in schools.

The target audience for this talk is practicing BCBAs working in elementary or secondary education settings in the United States. Any level of experience is welcome; however, BCBAs that are relatively new to working in public school environments may find this talk especially beneficial. Additionally, BCBAs working in private schools who implement IEPs will also find this talk useful.