WA‑BACI Code of Ethics

Core Ethical Principles

At the heart of WA‑BACI’s mission are these enduring values:

• Beneficence: Actively promote client welfare and positive outcomes.
• Nonmaleficence: Avoid harm and minimize risks in all interventions.
• Justice: Ensure fair access and equitable treatment for all.
• Autonomy: Respect clients’ rights to make informed choices.
• Fidelity: Build trust through honesty, loyalty, and reliability.

Professionalism & Competence

Maintaining excellence requires:

• Certification and licensure consistent with WA‑BACI standards.
• Completion of minimum continuing education credits annually.
• Peer observation and feedback sessions at least quarterly.
• Self‑assessment against a competency framework.

Confidentiality & Privacy

Protecting sensitive information:

• Use encrypted storage for electronic records.
• Limit access to authorized personnel only.
• Obtain written release before sharing data.
• Shred or securely delete physical records when required.

Informed Consent & Autonomy

Clients must be fully informed about:

• Nature, duration, and purpose of services.
• Potential benefits, risks, and side effects.
• Alternative interventions available.
• Right to decline or withdraw without penalty.

Dual Relationships & Boundaries

Avoid conflicts that impair professional objectivity:

• No personal, financial, or social entanglements with clients.
• Disclose unavoidable dual roles and document boundaries.
• Seek supervision when boundary questions arise.

Record‑Keeping & Data Security

Accurate documentation supports continuity and compliance:

• Log session notes within 24 hours.
• Retain records for a minimum statutory period.
• Audit access logs quarterly.

Cultural Competence & Respect

Embrace and integrate clients’ cultural backgrounds:

• Use culturally appropriate assessment tools.
• Engage interpreters or cultural liaisons when needed.
• Avoid assumptions based on stereotypes.

Research & Publication Standards

Uphold integrity in scholarly work:

• Secure Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.
• Obtain informed consent for research participation.
• Report data honestly, disclosing limitations.
• Credit all contributors appropriately.

Supervision & Mentorship

Foster growth through structured supervision:

• Establish clear supervision agreements.
• Provide regular feedback and goal setting.
• Document supervisory activities and outcomes.

Honest Billing & Reporting

Ensure transparency in financial practices:

• Bill only for actual services delivered.
• Disclose all fees, cancellation policies, and sliding scales.
• Maintain accurate logs for audits.

Social Media & Public Representation

Reflect our values in every public forum:

• Do not post identifiable client information.
• Distinguish personal views from WA‑BACI positions.
• Use disclaimers when sharing professional resources.

Enforcement & Sanctions

Our disciplinary framework includes:

• Investigation of reported breaches within 30 days.
• Proportional sanctions: warning, probation, suspension, revocation.
• Right to appeal decisions through an independent panel.

Reporting Violations

Encourage transparent accountability:

• Anonymous reporting options available.
• Protection from retaliation for good‑faith reports.
• All allegations handled confidentially.

Equity & Accessibility

Commit to removing barriers:

• Provide materials in multiple formats (large print, audio).
• Ensure physical spaces are accessible.
• Offer sliding‑scale fees to underserved communities.

Collaborative Practice

Foster teamwork for holistic care:

• Coordinate with educators, physicians, and families.
• Share progress data appropriately.
• Respect professional scopes of practice.

Conflict of Interest

Disclose any personal or financial interests that could bias your work:

• Refuse gifts that might influence objectivity.
• Document any prior relationships with vendors or clients.

Use of Technology

Leverage digital tools responsibly:

• Ensure telehealth platforms are secure and HIPAA‑compliant.
• Maintain digital literacy through ongoing training.

Continuous Improvement

Strive for organizational excellence:

• Gather client feedback via surveys annually.
• Review and update policies every two years.
• Implement quality‑assurance audits.

Well‑being & Self‑Care

Sustain professional longevity:

• Encourage balanced workloads and respite.
• Provide resources for stress management.

Environmental Responsibility

Minimize ecological impact:

• Reduce paper use by digitizing forms.
• Recycle electronic waste properly.

Advocacy & Outreach

Promote the value of ABA:

• Participate in community education events.
• Support policy initiatives that benefit clients.

Transparency in Funding

Disclose all financial sponsorships and grants:

• Publish annual funding reports.
• Avoid hidden sponsorship influence.

Peer Review & Feedback

Cultivate a culture of constructive critique:

• Implement blinded peer‑review processes.
• Provide actionable feedback regularly.

Use of Assessment Tools

Ensure validity and reliability:

• Use standardized instruments appropriately.
• Receive training on new tools before application.

Emergency Response

Prepare for urgent situations:

• Maintain crisis intervention protocols.
• Train staff in first aid and safety procedures.

Professional Boundaries

Safeguard ethical relationships:

• Clarify roles at the outset of engagement.
• Avoid personal disclosures that detract from service.

Contact & Reporting Violations

For questions or to report potential breaches of this Code, please file a complaint or email ethics@wabaci.org. All inquiries are treated with confidentiality and impartiality.