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Ethics GuidesApplied Behavior Analysis › 3.15

3.15 — Appropriately Discontinuing Services

Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (2022) · Reference for BCBAs, BCaBAs, and RBTs · Source: BACB

What does 3.15 say?

Behavior analysts include the circumstances for discontinuing services in their service agreement. They consider discontinuing services when: (1) the client has met all behavior-change goals, (2) the client is not benefiting from the service, (3) the behavior analyst and/or their supervisees or trainees are exposed to potentially harmful conditions that cannot be reasonably resolved, (4) the client and/or relevant stakeholder requests discontinuation, (5) the relevant stakeholders are not complying with the behavior-change intervention despite appropriate efforts to address barriers, or (6) services are no longer funded. Behavior analysts provide the client and/or relevant stakeholders with a written plan for discontinuing services, document acknowledgment of the plan, review the plan throughout the discharge process, and document all steps taken.

Official source: read the full text in the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (2022) (official document).

Related sections

1.01 — Being Truthful1.02 — Conforming with Legal and Professional Requirements1.03 — Accountability1.04 — Practicing within a Defined Role1.05 — Practicing within Scope of Competence1.06 — Maintaining Competence1.07 — Cultural Responsiveness and Diversity1.08 — Nondiscrimination
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