The Ethics of Socially Significant Goal Selection - Applied 2023

Abstract Social significance should be at the center of all the services our clients receive. A focus on social significance should include goals that are meaningful to the learner, taught in a way that is acceptable, and that result in a positive outcome (Wolf, 1978). Within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, a large body of literature supports interventions that are empirically validated. When considering the use of empirically validated interventions, clinicians must understand and evaluate the unique needs of the individuals they serve. Behavior analysts have access to a wide variety of assessments and curricula (VB-MAPP, EFL, AFLS, Card SKILLS, PEAK, etc.) in addition to specific therapeutic approaches (SBT, ACT, RFT, etc.) and must be conscious of their selection of assessments and corresponding goals. The focus should be on the well-being of the learner instead of simply choosing “the next step” without consideration of the terminal outcomes. At the heart of social significance is individualization for the specific challenges, barriers, and goals of the learner and their caregivers. In this presentation, Kaelynn will draw from her own experiences as an autistic person, a recipient of behavior analytic support, and a provider of behavior analytic services to provide actionable recommendations for scaffolding goals to a meaningful outcome. She will provide case examples to illustrate these considerations. Additionally, AnnaMarie will discuss the ethical considerations of meaningful goal selection and the broader considerations for goal selection.