E.8: Identify and apply interpersonal and other skills (e.g., accepting feedback, listening actively, seeking input, collaborating) to establish and maintain professional relationships.
Free practice questions for this part of the BCBA, with an explanation for every option.
During an intake meeting, a parent describes stressful bedtime routines. Which BCBA response best shows active listening?
- A. Interrupting to explain the reinforcement procedure she plans to useIncorrect. Interrupting with solutions cuts off what the parent is trying to say.
- B. Summarizing what the parent described, asking clarifying questions, and checking that she understood correctlyCorrect. Paraphrasing and asking clarifying questions are key active listening skills.
- C. Quickly reassuring the parent that the problem is common and easy to fixIncorrect. Quick reassurance downplays the parent's concerns and skips gathering information.
- D. Typing notes and looking at the laptop the whole timeIncorrect. A lack of eye contact or engagement signals that she isn't listening.
An RBT tells her supervising BCBA that the feedback in their meetings is hard to follow and often feels vague. What is the most appropriate response?
- A. Thank the RBT, ask for specific examples, adjust the feedback (for example, make it more behavior-specific and use modeling), and check whether the RBT's performance improvesCorrect. Accepting feedback without getting defensive and evaluating the effects of supervision are core supervisory skills.
- B. Explain that the feedback follows agency policy and doesn't need to changeIncorrect. Brushing off the feedback works against collaboration and against supervision that works.
- C. Note the comment as an attitude problem in the RBT's evaluationIncorrect. Punishing a supervisee for giving feedback damages the relationship and discourages open communication.
- D. Cut back on feedback so the RBT is less confusedIncorrect. Less feedback hurts performance. The problem is the quality of the feedback, not the amount.
A BCBA has been teaching a minimally vocal child to use manual signs. The child's speech-language pathologist recommends switching to a speech-generating device and is frustrated that the two approaches don't match across settings. What is the best response?
- A. Switch to the device right away without reviewing data, to avoid conflictIncorrect. Giving in without looking at data is not real collaboration or data-based decision making.
- B. Meet with the SLP and the family to review the child's data and preferences and agree on a shared communication approach that is taught consistently across settingsCorrect. Collaborating and seeking input on shared, data-based decisions supports consistent services that work for the client.
- C. Keep using signs, since behavior-analytic programming takes priority over other disciplinesIncorrect. Behavior analysts collaborate with other professionals in the client's best interest instead of assuming their own discipline comes first.
- D. Tell the parents the SLP's recommendation is not evidence-basedIncorrect. Undermining a colleague damages the team relationship, and AAC devices have research support.