E.3: Develop and maintain competence by engaging in professional development activities (e.g., read literature, seek consultation, establish mentors).
Free practice questions for this part of the BCBA, with an explanation for every option.
A BCBA who has only worked in clinics is asked to start delivering parent training by telehealth, which she has never done. What should she do first?
- A. Ask the parents to learn the telehealth platform on their ownIncorrect. This shifts the clinician's responsibility onto the family and does nothing about her own competence.
- B. Start right away, since her BCBA credential covers all forms of service deliveryIncorrect. Certification does not make someone competent in every modality or population.
- C. Get training, guidance, or consultation in telehealth service delivery before or while beginning, and arrange support as neededCorrect. Behavior analysts build competence in new areas through training, consultation, and supervised experience.
- D. Turn down all telehealth cases for the rest of her careerIncorrect. Permanently avoiding a new area is not required. Competence can be developed.
Which plan best shows a BCBA actively maintaining her competence in treating severe problem behavior?
- A. Doing only the minimum CEUs, in whatever topics are cheapestIncorrect. Meeting the minimum with unrelated topics is compliance, not real competence maintenance.
- B. Relying mostly on advice from online parent and practitioner groupsIncorrect. Informal online groups are not reliable sources of evidence-based practice.
- C. Using one mentor's opinion as the only source of guidanceIncorrect. Mentors are valuable, but competence also depends on reading the research and drawing on several sources.
- D. Regularly reading peer-reviewed research, attending relevant continuing education, and consulting with experienced colleaguesCorrect. A planned mix of reading the literature, continuing education, and consultation keeps practice current and evidence-based.
A BCBA who has spent 10 years with young autistic children wants to start serving adults with traumatic brain injury. Which is the most appropriate way to expand her scope of competence?
- A. Begin right away, because behavioral principles apply to every populationIncorrect. General principles do apply, but working safely with a new population takes population-specific knowledge and experience.
- B. Watch a 3-hour webinar on brain injury and then accept clientsIncorrect. A short webinar alone is unlikely to give enough competence with a medically complex population.
- C. Read a few review articles and rely on self-study onlyIncorrect. Self-study is a reasonable start but has no supervised practice or feedback.
- D. Get relevant education and training, plus supervised experience or consultation from a professional competent in that area, before practicing on her ownCorrect. Expanding scope requires education, training, and supervised experience or consultation with someone competent in the new area.