Patient assent has emerged as one of the most important ethical and clinical topics in contemporary ABA practice. With the inclusion of assent-related provisions in the 2022 Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, the field has formally recognized that attending to clients' willingness to participate in treatment is not optional but obligatory.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Women in Behavior Analysis
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Join Free →Attending to patient assent in applied behavior analysis therapy sessions has the potential to increase patient self-advocacy, build rapport and trust between the clinician and patient, reduce risks of patient victimization, and overall support patient dignity. As assent is now part of the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (BACB, 2022), guidance is needed to support BCBAs in balancing gaining assent and working on treatment goals for patients with a range of severity and support needs. All patients are capable of communicating assent and dissent; however, response to dissent will differ based on age and other individual factors. In this presentation, strategies will be shared to aid clinicians in designing treatment plans that actively involve gaining and sustaining patient assent while targeting treatment goals. Additionally, a method of conducting a risk-benefit analysis to determine clinical response to patient dissent will be offered, along with clinical examples.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | Ethics |
Karen Nohelty is the Director of Research and Development at 360 Behavioral Health and has been in the field of ABA since 2003. A BCBA since 2007, she specializes in compassionate care and caregiver support, helping ensure treatment is meaningful, client-centered, and values-aligned. Karen has co-authored multiple research publications and book chapters. Her work bridges research and practice to empower clinicians, clients, and caregivers to achieve outcomes that truly make a difference.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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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.