The concept of assent has become one of the most discussed and debated topics in contemporary applied behavior analysis, yet it remains one of the most inconsistently understood and implemented. The addition of assent to the BACB Ethics Code that took effect in 2022 formalized what many practitioners had already recognized: that honoring the preferences and willingness of the individuals we serve is not merely aspirational but a professional obligation.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Practicing What We Preach: Assent in Action
Take This Course →Including ethics, supervision, and topics like this one. New live CEU every Wednesday.
Join Free →The concept of assent has become increasingly popular in recent years in the field of applied behavior analysis, even being added to the BACB ethics code that went into effect in 2022. However, the practice of honoring assent and assent-withdrawal in ABA services for Autistic clients is not yet in widespread use. In fact, many still wonder whether assent can be implemented in a practical way throughout our daily services, or whether it is just an aspirational concept. This presentation will trace the roots of the concept of assent in behavior analysis and relate assent to the defining characteristics of our science and practice. Although many common practices in ABA services denied assent or were ignorant of assent for decades, this presentation will make the case that the very ethical and conceptual foundations of our science have always been based on assent, from the earliest days of B.F. Skinner's writings. We will conclude that, not only can we honor assent, but that honoring our clients' right to assent is at the moral and ethical core of who we are as a science.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 2 | Ethics |
| COA | 2 | — |
Dr. Jonathan Tarbox is the Co-Founder and Program Director of the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program at the University of Southern California, as well as Director of Research at FirstSteps for Kids. Dr. Tarbox is the past Editor-in-Chief of the journal Behavior Analysis in Practice, and a past founding member of the Advisory Board of the Women in Behavior Analysis (WIBA) conference. He has published five books on applied behavior analysis and autism treatment, is the Series Editor of the Elsevier book series Critical Specialties in Treating Autism and Other Behavioral Challenges, and an author of over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters in scientific texts. His research focuses on behavioral interventions for teaching complex skills to individuals with autism, Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), and applications of applied behavior analysis to issues of diversity and social justice. Dr. Tarbox is proud to have multiple neurodivergent family members and is working hard to become a better ally to the Autistic community.
Side-by-side comparison with a clinical decision framework
Research-backed educational guide for behavior analysts
Research-backed answers to common clinical questions
All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.