ASHA-IIE-ABANDONMENT — ASHA Issues in Ethics: Client Abandonment (2025)
What does ASHA-IIE-ABANDONMENT say?
Client abandonment occurs when a clinician stops providing services without arranging for continuation or completion of services. Key guidance: (1) There is nothing unethical about terminating services for legitimate reasons (career change, relocation, health). (2) However, professionals must maintain focus on client welfare during transitions. (3) When leaving a position, provide reasonable notice and assist in transition planning. (4) Develop written discharge/transition plans specifying referral sources, transfer of records, and timeline. (5) Client abandonment is distinguished from appropriate discontinuation — abandonment involves no reasonable effort to ensure continuity. (6) In managed care settings, when insurance authorization ends, the clinician should help the client explore alternative funding or reduced-fee options before discontinuing. (7) Refusal to treat is different from abandonment — clinicians may decline new clients, but once a therapeutic relationship is established, abrupt termination without transition planning may constitute abandonment. (8) Documentation of all transition steps is essential. Relevant Code sections: Principle I Rules A, B, J (welfare of persons served, appropriate service provision); Principle IV Rule B (independent professional judgment).
Official source: read the full text in the ASHA Code of Ethics (2023) (official document).