Assent-based practice has emerged as one of the most significant developments in contemporary behavior analysis, representing a fundamental shift in how practitioners conceptualize the therapeutic relationship and the client's role in their own treatment. With the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (BACB, 2022) explicitly requiring professionals to obtain client assent, behavior analysts across the field are centering client autonomy in their clinical work at a scale not previously seen.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Illinois Association of Behavior Analysis
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Join Free →With assent-based practice gaining traction in the field of ABA, and the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (ECBA; BACB, 2020) requiring professionals to obtain client assent, behavior analysts are centering client autonomy and assent at a large scale. But, without functional assessment and an ongoing examination of how and when assent is honored, there is a risk for "assent-based practice" to be conducted unethically. In this workshop, attendees will explore ethical implications of negligence in the name of honoring client assent and discuss the critical components of implementing a functional and autonomy-driven assent-based practice. Practice opportunities, discussion, and planning will round out the session.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 3 | Ethics |
| COA | 0 | — |
Brigid McCormick is the Founder and Clinical Director of Precision ABA, a Precision Teaching learning center and in-home practice in Naperville, fueled by passion, empathy, humor, data, and progress, and centered on assent and self advocacy. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Educational Momentum, a school supplement program that focuses on executive function, academic, and social-emotional skill development. Before earning her Master of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Brigid received her teaching certification in Secondary Education from Illinois State University. As an accomplished Precision Teacher and Instructional Designer, she blends education and ABA to build strong repertoires for both learners and staff. Brigid believes her role is to coach and empower others to meet the goals meaningful for them. When serving as the President of the Illinois Association for Behavior Analysis, she blended her love of systems and efficiency with collaboration to move the organization into a new era to serve the community. Brigid also serves on the inaugural Behavior Analyst Licensing and Disciplinary Board for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. When she’s not working, you can find Brigid spending time with her family, laughing, and reading.
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.