ABSTRACT
This standard introduces requirements for behavior analysts when they are making public statements about their clients. Personal information includes a client’s name, photograph, address, diagnosis, status, and behavioral data. Stakeholders related to the client also have a right to privacy; this is like the attorney-client privilege concept extended to include behavior analysts. In conference presentations, behavior analysts are advised to keep their accounts of clinical and research findings truthful and to not embellish the outcomes. They may not recommend treatments for someone when they are in a public forum. If a behavior analyst were to become involved with non-behavioral services, they must keep this separate from their behavioral work. BCBAs involved in efforts to increase their customer base may not solicit testimonials from current clients, and if they seek endorsements from former clients, they must use a disclaimer. When using “social media channels” or websites, behavior analysts must be careful not to violate client confidentiality. In public statements, as in conference presentations, webinars, podcasts, and videos, behavior analysts have an obligation to protect client confidentiality including monitoring their employing organization to make sure they do the same.
