Adherence to ethical guidelines is required, especially for those who are certified behavior analysts. Adhering to the ethical guidelines is to protect the rights of the individuals whom with you work and to protect yourself as well. You can visit the Behavior Analysis Certification Board website to learn about about becoming certified. Remember: It is always helpful to have a community of support members around you. These can be behavior analysts, those practicing in the field, or attending Human Rights Committee meetings regularly.
Reinforcement
Reinforcement procedures are most commonly implemented within the field of behavior analysis to produce behavior change. Although these procedures tend to be the most common, that does not imply that there are no ethical concerns tied to these procedures. One must be aware of what behaviors are actually being reinforced. Determining the function of a particular behavior before implementing a behavioral treatment procedural may be beneficial in understanding what specific behaviors to reinforce and how. Reinforcement can be delivered in a variety of forms: tangibles (e.g., food, drink, toys, or tokens), attention (e.g., tickles, verbal praise, high-fives, smiles), or escape (e.g., allowing a break, providing alone time). The reward delivered will only be effective if it serves the function of the behavior.
Punishment
Punishment procedures may get the most attention with regards to ethical practice. Punishment should always be used only as a last resort. Safety is the number one issue so the punishing stimulus delivered should not be physically harmful or dangerous to the individual. An ethical dilemma arises, though, when the individual is causing harm to him or herself, and perhaps punishment is the only effective way to diminish this behavior... in this case, implementing a punishment procedure would be an ethical decision. Consent should always be obtained.
Punishment procedures should not be implemented to decrease behaviors that are not socially significant or beneficial to the well being of the child. For example, one should not implement a punishment procedure for a child to stop singing to himself for the sole purpose that his sibling is annoyed by it while watching TV. Other procedures should be use first such as rearranging the environment, reinforcing other incompatible behaviors such as engaging in conversation with a parent, etc.
Punishment procedures should not be implemented to decrease behaviors that are not socially significant or beneficial to the well being of the child. For example, one should not implement a punishment procedure for a child to stop singing to himself for the sole purpose that his sibling is annoyed by it while watching TV. Other procedures should be use first such as rearranging the environment, reinforcing other incompatible behaviors such as engaging in conversation with a parent, etc.
Token Economies
Token economies can be extremely beneficial in producing behavior change. One of the biggest misconceptions regarding token economies is that one can just implement a token economy without any training with the expectation the child will be reinforced by the tokens. Contrary to this belief, the tokens must be conditioned as reinforcers for the learner in order to have an effect. Delivering tokens without the opportunity for exchange is unethical.
Chaining
When using chaining as a technique for behavior change, one must create a task analysis of the steps. Chaining can be a very useful technique is used correctly, but one needs to be sure that appropriate behaviors are being chained together and other inappropriate or superstitious behaviors are not also being reinforced in the chain.
Shaping
Shaping is a skill that many times takes much practice and experience. It may be a good idea, before using a shaping procedure, that you practice with others in a role-play situation. This may help you develop your skills in order to become fluent at reinforcing appropriate behaviors and at what time before working on a more serious case with protected populations. If one is unskilled in shaping, isn't difficult to inadvertently reinforce undesired behaviors while shaping.
Stimulus Fading
Stimulus fading is a complicated procedure that is not typically used in everyday programming for children with autism. This is due in part of the complexity but also because stimulus fading should be used as one of the last resorts. Current literature suggests that stimulus fading can be very effective, but other procedures can be just as effective and perhaps even quicker at teaching a skill. In order to provide the best treatment you possibly can, be sure to implement treatments that are parsimonious first.
Information provided by Cooper, Heward, and Heron (2007), Van Houten et al. (1988) and personal experience within the field of behavior analysis.