| Problem-solving step | Your response | Response example |
|---|---|---|
| Identify the problem |
Her supervisee is not responsive to her feedback |
The supervisee’s unresponsiveness has halted the progression of an effective supervision program. |
| Relevant ethical standard(s) |
4.04 accountability in supervision |
4.08 Performance Monitoring and Feedback |
| Consider dimensions of the problem |
Maybe feedback is aversive to the supervisee or the format of communication is aversive |
Christine has a responsibility to create a supervision program that engages supervisees in progress toward goals and identify barriers to effective supervision. The supervisee also has a responsibility to respond to feedback and actively participate. These responsibilities and standards for communication and responding to feedback are stated in the contract for trainees and BCaBA supervisees, but there is no contract for RBT supervision. The supervisee cannot continue to work if Christine refuses to continue with supervision, which might cause conflict with her employer. |
| Consider courses of action & potential consequences |
end supervision with supverisee or develop a plan that works better for them |
Christine can deliver a written warning and plan for remediation with consequences outlined, but she does not have the authority to terminate the RBT’s employment. Christine also fears for her own employment if she pursues the matter further. If she continues with supervision, Christine is certain she will be violating the ethics code by signing off on supervision hours that have no effect on the supervisee’s service delivery. |
| Select a course of action |
end supervision with supverisee |
Christine decides that her BCBA certification is the most important thing and that continuing with an unethical situation will jeopardize her credentials. She writes a memo to her employer, citing the relevant codes from the BACB, attached a copy of the code, and then proceeds with a plan for remediation. She cannot fire the RBT but she can refuse to provide his supervision. |
| Implement and evaluate course of action |
it is necessary as the supervisor has tried to improve the behavior of supervisee and they are not responding |
Christine’s course of action was not the easiest option but it was the only option for her to continue to work as a behavior analyst in the future. Also, putting her foot down will send the message to her employer that she answers to the ethics codes first. |
