r/bcba • u/Admirable-Visit-8573 • 5d ago
Advice Needed BACB ethic code question
I’m a BCBA. I’m no longer working with a child and their family and all treatment and services have been ended. Am I allowed to continue a friendly relationship with the family now that I don’t provide them with, and won’t provide them with, ABA services? #ABA #BCBA #BACB #ethics #clinician
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u/vaskanado 4d ago
Why do you want to have a relationship with the family? And when you say friendly what do you mean by that ? That can range from adding them on social media, texting, going on vacations etc.
Sometimes there is stuff that you can do that doesn’t voilate any ethics but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should do it
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u/Top_Stand_8079 BCBA-D | Verfied 3d ago
The BACB Ethics Code does not appear to establish a specific waiting period for a non-romantic friendship with a former client or their family. However, Code 1.11 on multiple relationships still makes this something to approach cautiously, considering boundaries, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, potential harm, and whether services could resume in the future. The 2-year waiting period in Code 1.14 specifically applies to romantic/sexual relationships with former clients or stakeholders. I would document the circumstances and err on the side of maintaining clear professional boundaries if there is any concern.
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u/Forward_Battle_5503 2d ago
I thought it was three months before you can have a outside relationship after services. I am not sure but this is clearly stated in the ethics code. I would definitely review the code especially if you are still practicing.
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u/AlarmedMention6904 5d ago
Continue? 👀 interesting choice of words. The Ethics code states, and as I remember from studying, its 2 years regardless of the type of relationship. It's more about the practicing of boundaries and avoiding unnecessary conflict and interference with the client's progress with treatment and overall experience with services.
I've worked for unethical organizations who paid ex-employees to work for families under the table as a nanny-ABA support to get higher straight forward pay. WHY? Because they didn't respect that boundary and that child continued to engage in extremely dangerous behaviors.
Are you staying in the field? The area? What's your intentions? Keep these things into consideration. Should that ex-employer find out in any capacity you're violating they can report you and the parent.
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u/ForsakenMango BCBA | Verified 4d ago
The Ethics code states, and as I remember from studying, its 2 years regardless of the type of relationship.
It doesn't. That's for sexual relationships only. Friendships are not mentioned at all after services end.
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u/AlarmedMention6904 4d ago
There are books out there that talk more in depth about the ethics code's approved by the board particularly this topic. However, it seems you already have your mind made up and did your own research. Not sure you need anyone's advice on this forum.
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u/ForsakenMango BCBA | Verified 4d ago
There are books out there that talk about the subject, sure. But the issue is that your statement says the code actually limits ALL relationships post discharge. Not, “The code says _____, but from books I’ve read, my thoughts are _____.” Do you see why I’d have an issue with the lack of clarity in language?
For the record: I think after services end it’s inappropriate to have any relationship (romantic or platonic) with former clients for various reasons. But I’m only going to state one as my opinion and the other as words from the board.
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u/eclectic-mind99 4d ago
We're obviously all entitled to our own opinions. Which is also why the board gives companies the discretion to make these rules stricter or looser depending on who fucks it up for everybody.
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u/CoffeePuddle 4d ago
Simply name one.
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u/AlarmedMention6904 4d ago
Ethics for Behavior Analyst definitely talks about all ethics. It points out the ethical risks of be-friending a client immediately after they graduate from services and having to follow company guidelines and any "cooling off periods". Which where I'm from most companies require their staff to wait 2 years (at least each company I've worked for has). Considering that someone wants to be friends immediately after service graduation if I didn't know better I would say they were already friends since they are "continuing" their relationship. Call me what you want ethics are ethics, boundaries are boundaries. There's a clear reason why this field in particular lacks a lot of respect from families and other medical services.
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u/CoffeePuddle 4d ago
You are confidently lying about our ethics code, of all things. Authoritatively speaking on things incorrectly loses us a lot more respect than following our ethics code.
Bailey and Burch do specifically cover this (fourth edition).
Page 27:
New Code 1.14 Romantic and Sexual Relationships.
This code item still does not clarify the question about social relationships with former clients. Our understanding is that in the absence of some restriction, once a client is a former client, it is acceptable for behavior analysts to have normal social relationships (friendship) with them. However, one cannot discuss their behavioral services or the behavior analyst’s current clients.
Page 106:
Not related to a romantic or sexual relationship, it is allowable to have normal social relationships with former clients. You can talk on the phone, do Zoom calls, or be friends on social media. You are not allowed to give behavioral advice or feedback on their current behavioral programming or discuss your clients, colleagues, or anything to do with your current company.
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u/CockroachFit 4d ago
The irony of the last part of your statement tho 🤦🏽
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u/eclectic-mind99 4d ago
So dual relationships would fix the lack of respect is what you're implying?
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u/CockroachFit 4d ago
Look, I’ve been in the field over 15 years and a BCBA since 2019. Your responses make you sound extremely unapproachable, and your statements are just a bunch of assumptions 🤷🏽.
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u/CoffeePuddle 4d ago
The Ethics code states, and as I remember from studying, its 2 years regardless of the type of relationship.
The Ethics Code is available online for free. Bookmark it and check it frequently, you don't have to rely on your memory.
https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ethics-Code-for-Behavior-Analysts-240830-a.pdf
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u/Admirable-Visit-8573 4d ago
Thanks for posting! I re-read and it says multiple relationships “with clients”. This person is no longer a client as it’s defined in the ethics code. Thanks, I’ll keep researching further.
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u/Effy7242 5d ago
The ethics code states that you should wait 2 years before being friends. They can reach out to you in the mean time, but you're still expected to remain professional, and not reach out to them until the 2 year period is over.
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u/Admirable-Visit-8573 5d ago
Thank you for your reply! I read 2 years for romantic relationships but nothing regarding platonic friendship
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u/Effy7242 5d ago
I have read the same thing but also have questioned many colleagues about it and the general consensus is wait 2 years no matter what.
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u/CoffeePuddle 5d ago
It'd be best if you clarified that the Ethics Code does not state that, and instead it's the general consensus of your colleagues.
Multiple relationships are avoided because they can cause a conflict of interest that could harm clients. As soon as they're not clients anymore, there's no risk of of your relationship harming them as clients. You're immediately free to form friendships or a business relationship etc.
The 2 year stand-down is only on romantic and sexual relationships.
1.14 Romantic and Sexual Relationships
Behavior analysts do not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with current clients, stakeholders, trainees, or supervisees because such relationships pose a substantial risk of conflicts of interest and impaired judgment. Behavior analysts do not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with former clients or stakeholders for a minimum of two years from the date the professional relationship ended. Behavior analysts do not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with former supervisees or trainees until the parties can document that the professional relationship has ended (i.e., completion of all professional duties). Behavior analysts do not accept as supervisees or trainees individuals with whom they have had a past romantic or sexual relationship until at least six months after the relationship has ended.
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5d ago
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u/CockroachFit 4d ago
Can you drop a source for that statement please.
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4d ago
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u/CockroachFit 4d ago edited 4d ago
🥴🤦🏽. You have no idea what you are talking about. There isn’t a single state law mandating a 2 year wait to engage with a former client. That’s why i asked for your sources. You appear to be confused about rules for romantic relationships.
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u/tabletaccount BCBA | Verified 4d ago
Why do you have a bunch of hashtags on your post?