Code of Ethics for Behavioral Organizations

Below are the 12 items created to help guide organizations behavior in an ethical manner.

Item #1

Our organization will enforce the BACB® Guidelines for Responsible Conduct with all behavioral and non-behavioral employees across departments in our organization, and those with whom we contract. We will conduct regular in-service training on the code of ethics for employees. We will support our behavior analysts in fulfilling their ethics continuing education requirements.

Item #2

We will hold all behavioral and non-behavioral employees across all departments in our organization accountable to the Code of Ethics for Behavioral Organizations. It is our responsibility to train and inform all employees of those ethical standards that affect their duties as a result of delivering clinical services.

Item #3

We will not ask any behavioral or non-behavioral professional to violate the BACB Guidelines for Responsible Conduct by working out of their area of competence, supervising individuals that are not qualified, or supervising more individuals than one person can competently manage. We will not ask therapists to perform tasks for which they have not received adequate training.

Item #4

We will provide adequate supervision by a qualified behavior analyst for all therapists working with clients at our organization.  Supervision will be based on the needs of the clients and the behavioral repertoire of the therapist. Supervisors will provide clear instruction and will model correct implementation of behavioral procedures.  Behavioral employees will be given ample opportunity to practice the skills they are learning.

Item #5

We will only provide behavioral services that are evidence-based and will abstain from offering or promoting “alternative treatments” that are not evidence based.

Item #6

Individuals directly working with clients and families will be provided with specific on-going training and supervision in ABA that meets the needs of the clients.

Item #7

When faced with a situation in which we lack sufficient on-site expertise, we will consider requests for additional behavioral consultation, training, and supervision, or refer to appropriate professionals.

Item #8

Our organization will not post testimonials in any format on our website.

Item #9

We will not allow any employee to accept gifts of food, money or in-kind service or goods in any amount or value.

Item #10

We will not ask any behavioral or non-behavioral professional to violate the BACB Guidelines for Responsible Conduct by modifying timesheets, reports, or clinical recommendations to satisfy organizational needs.

Item #11

We will not advance any social or economic contingencies (e.g. bonus, raise, promotion) that might unduly influence the behavior of any Board Certified professional in our organization to violate the BACB Guidelines.

Item #12

We will support any behavioral or non-behavioral professional who comes forward with any claim of undue pressure to violate the BACB Guidelines and will appoint an internal Ethics Officer or Ethics Committee to address all internal ethical issues that might come up.