When Good Ethics Go Bad: Understanding Evidence Based Practice

Behavior analysts are frequently trained to implement specific procedures found within behavioral and educational journals. However, practitioners frequently encounter situations that do not exactly apply to this literature base. This panel will discuss how to ethically apply the science of behavior analysis using an evidence-based practice model focused on clinical expertise, the individual client, and the best available research. Panelists will discuss how they have successfully applied this model to address common barriers to learning such as weak motivation, escape maintained challenging behavior, prompt dependence, and developing instructional control. Each panelist has significant experience and expertise with applying the science of behavior analysis as a whole and determining the most effective intervention for each client based on the methods and principles of this science as opposed to broadly and generically applying popular procedures with each client. Audience members will be given the opportunity at the end of the panel to ask the panelists for their expertise in ethically addressing common barriers to learning.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to identify how at least one section of the Code applies to the use of the evidence-based practice model
• Participants will be able to explain how to modify popular behavior analytic procedures based on the needs of their individual clients
• Participants will be able to explain how to individually assess barriers for each learner and develop interventions based on this assessment.
• Participants will be able to explain how to synthesize previous research to create effective interventions for clients
• Participants will be able to explain at least 2 drawbacks of solely attending to research when developing intervention