The BACB Code of Ethics: What It Means for Your Family
When you start ABA therapy, you aren't just hiring a therapist; you are entering a professional partnership. To ensure that partnership is safe, respectful, and effective, every Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is bound by the BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board) Ethics Code. At Tellos, we believe that parent training in applied behavior analysis must include a clear understanding of these ethical standards so you can effectively advocate for your child.
We don’t see this code as red tape. We see it as a tactical manual for protecting your child’s dignity and your family’s trust. You don’t need to memorize the handbook, but you should know how these rules work for you in the real world.
The Tactical Breakdown: 3 Ethics Rules Every Parent Should Know
The ethics code is extensive, but for a busy parent, these three pillars are the most critical for day-to-day life:
1. Benefit Others and Do No Harm
This is the core of the code. It means that every goal we set must be designed to improve your child's life, not just make them "compliant."
The Move: We prioritize safety and communication. If a goal doesn't help your child become more independent or safer, it doesn’t belong in the plan.
The Win: Your child isn't being "trained"; they are being empowered to navigate the world on their own terms.
2. Respecting Autonomy and Assent
A major shift in modern ABA ethics is the focus on assent. Even if a child is non-verbal, they can "say" no through their body language.
The Move: If your child shows signs of distress, turns away, or withdraws, the ethical clinician stops and reassesses the motivation.
The Win: This prevents "burnout" and teaches your child that they have a voice that adults respect.
3. Maintaining Professional Boundaries
This one often surprises parents. Your therapist cannot be your close personal friend, babysitter, or dinner guest.
The Move: Clinicians must maintain a professional distance. They cannot accept gifts, attend private parties, or accept social media friend requests.
The Win: This keeps the data objective. When boundaries are clear, the focus stays 100% on your child’s progress, not on personal favors or social dynamics.
How to Spot Ethical ABA in Practice
You don’t need to be a clinician to know if the code is being followed. Watch for these tactical signs during your child's session:
Transparency: You should always have access to your child's data and be able to ask "Why are we doing this?" at any time.
Dignity: The therapist should speak to and about your child with respect, never discussing their "behaviors" in front of them as if they aren't there.
Individualization: If your child’s program looks identical to every other kid in the clinic, that’s an ethical red flag. The code requires individualized ABA programs.
The Tellos Difference: Ethics as a Foundation
At Tellos, we lead with empathy and drive with data.
No Waitlists: We believe it is ethically responsible to provide care when it is needed most, during those critical early development windows.
Empowered Clinicians: Our staff are owners of their craft. They are trained not just to follow the code, but to understand the "why" behind it.
Functional Focus: We don't bill for hours just to bill. We focus on the goals that move the needle for your family’s daily life.
3 Steps to Start Today
Ask for the Plan: Ask your BCBA to show you your child’s current goals. If a goal doesn't make sense for your child’s independence, ask them to explain the "benefit" according to the ethics code.
Observe the Joy: Look at your child during therapy. Are they engaged? Are they given choices? Choice is a fundamental ethical right.
Contact Tellos: Ready for a team that treats your child’s dignity as a priority, not an afterthought? Reach out for a consultation. We’ll show you how we turn ethical standards into real-world success.
Ethics isn't just a clinical requirement—it's how we ensure your child feels safe, seen, and supported every single day.