What I Wish I Knew Before Taking Professional Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis (3 Credits)
Heyyy BCBA Ruby here!
If you’re heading into the course Professional Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), you’re about to explore some of the most important—and often challenging—aspects of being a behavior analyst. This class isn’t just about how to implement behavior interventions—it’s about how to navigate the ethical, legal, and professional dilemmas that come with working in the field.
Looking back on my experience, there’s a lot I wish I had known before diving into this course. The topics are tough, sometimes emotional, and deeply thought-provoking. If you’re getting ready to take Professional Issues in ABA, here’s what I wish I knew ahead of time—and some advice on how to tackle the subject matter with confidence.
It's More Than Just Theory—It’s Real Life
At first, I thought the course would be straightforward. I expected it to cover common ethical guidelines and professional practices. While we did cover those, I quickly learned that the course isn’t just about memorizing codes of ethics or understanding legal frameworks—it’s about navigating the real, messy, complex situations that can arise in the field.
This course pushes you to think critically about situations you’ll face in your own practice. What happens when the interests of your client conflict with their family’s wishes? How do you handle a colleague’s unethical behavior? What do you do when funding cuts affect the quality of service your client receives? These aren’t hypothetical questions—they are issues you’ll likely face at some point in your career.
The Ethical Dilemmas Are Challenging
If you’re anything like me, you may have thought that ethics in ABA was just about following the rules. But in Professional Issues, the ethical discussions get much deeper. It’s about applying ethics in gray areas where there isn’t always a clear right or wrong answer.
You’ll be forced to confront ethical dilemmas that might leave you feeling uneasy or uncertain. You may find yourself asking questions like, “Is it ethical to recommend a service when the client can’t afford it?” or “How do I balance my professional responsibilities with personal relationships?” These are tough questions with no easy answers, and they will require you to think long and hard about your role as a behavior analyst.
It’s important to acknowledge that these moments of discomfort are a natural part of growing as a professional. Ethical decision-making is a skill that develops over time, and the more you engage with these dilemmas, the better equipped you’ll be to handle them in real-world practice.
The Legal Side is Important, but Not Always Clear-Cut
I knew the course would cover legal aspects of ABA, but I didn’t realize how complicated and specific the legal side of the field could get. There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to issues like confidentiality, reporting, and informed consent, and the rules can vary depending on where you work, who you work with, and the nature of the service being provided.
Some of the biggest surprises for me were around the legalities of data collection, supervision, and working with vulnerable populations. It’s essential to have a solid understanding of the laws that govern your practice, but the legal landscape is constantly changing, so you’ll need to stay updated on any new legislation or policy changes.
This Course Will Make You Reflect on Your Own Values
Professional Issues isn’t just about the “rules” of the field—it’s also about how your personal values intersect with your professional responsibilities. I found myself reflecting on how my personal values around equity, accessibility, and fairness shaped my decisions as a behavior analyst. Sometimes, my values didn’t align with the reality of the situation, and that was hard to navigate.
In this course, you’ll be asked to consider your own values and beliefs, as well as how they impact your professional decisions. These are deeply personal reflections that will require you to be open and honest with yourself. The more you engage in this self-reflection, the better prepared you’ll be to handle tough situations when they arise in your practice.
Be Prepared to Challenge Your Own Biases
One of the most important lessons in this course is learning to recognize and address your own biases—whether they’re related to race, gender, socioeconomic status, or any number of other factors. As a behavior analyst, you’re in a position of power, and it’s crucial to be mindful of how your biases might impact your clients and their families.
I’ll admit, at first, I didn’t realize how much my own biases could influence my professional work. However, this course made me confront them head-on. You’ll be encouraged to examine your assumptions and recognize how they shape your approach to behavior analysis.
It’s Tough, But It’s Necessary
Taking Professional Issues in ABA was one of the toughest parts of my grad school journey, but it was also one of the most necessary. This course will prepare you for the reality of being a behavior analyst and help you understand that your professional role is not just about providing services—it’s about being accountable, responsible, and ethical in everything you do.
Key Takeaways for Professional Issues in ABA
Expect ethical dilemmas: You’ll face gray areas where there isn’t a simple right or wrong. The key is developing your decision-making process.
Understand the legal landscape: The legal aspects of ABA are complicated but crucial to navigate.
Reflect on your values: Think about how your personal beliefs shape your professional decisions.
Challenge your biases: Be aware of how your biases affect your work with clients and colleagues.
It’s tough but worth it: The course is challenging, but it prepares you for real-world ethical and legal decisions in your career.
So, if you’re about to take Professional Issues in ABA, remember to brace yourself. The challenges are real, but they will make you a stronger and more capable behavior analyst. Take the time to reflect, engage with the material, and grow as a professional—because the work you do in this course will have a lasting impact on your practice for years to come.
Until next time, stay ethical, stay professional, and keep doing amazing work in the field of ABA! 💙
