Ethical Code

Code of Ethics for Nordic Behaviour Analysts, version 1.0

This code of ethics applies to all those who meet the criteria for the professional title of behaviour analyst as defined by the Nordic Association for Behaviour Analysis (Nordic-ABA).

The code is designed to protect client well-being, ensure high quality practice, and enhance the credibility of the science and practice of behaviour analysis. The code is structured around three core values and five areas of responsibility.

The code should not be considered an exhaustive list of all behaviours that could potentially be considered unethical, but it represents the main areas of professional conduct and accountability.

If a violation of the any of these codes is observed or reported, or if there is a justifiable suspicion that a behaviour analyst may be potentially working in violation of this code then it should be reported to the Nordic-ABA ethics committee.

In addition to familiarity with this code, behaviour analysts working within any of the Nordic countries must be familiar with and abide by the laws, rules and regulations within their country of residence that apply to their work as a behaviour analyst and in relation to the clients and other professionals with whom they work.

The code is generic and applies to all areas of practice and all client groups and populations. The term client is used as a general term that applies to work with individuals, families, guardians, groups, partners, funders and in a multitude of settings (homes, schools, centres, organizations etc.).

This code was initially developed by behaviour analysts in Iceland for SATÍS (the Icelandic Association for Behaviour Analysis) by the SATÍS ethics committee but has been adapted to function as a code that can be used across all of the Nordic countries. It was adopted by the Nordic Association of Behaviour Analysts in June 2025.

Core Values

Of significant importance within the field of behaviour analysis are socially and contextually applicable core values. We use these to guide and assist us in ethical decision making. Each of these core values represents a constellation of behaviours that are considered of primary importance to the science and practice of behavior analysis in the Nordic context and provide a framework for the responsibilities and actions of a behavior analyst. The core values are the framework upon which the areas of responsibility are built and considered.

A.Beneficence and Compassion

Nordic behaviour analysts engage in practices that maximize clients’ well-being, quality of life (both on short- and long-term bases), and avoid practices that may cause harm. They respect clients’ rights and promote client dignity, privacy, autonomy, and self- determination. They assist clients in setting and achieving their own goals, developing their own agency, and making decisions about their own lives.

B.Respect and Trust

Nordic behavior analysts strive to maintain and develop respectful, trusted and effective collaboration with clients, their significant others, and individuals from other disciplines. They are committed to data-based decision making. They recognize that behavior-analytic services are most likely to benefit clients when they are provided in the context of a trusting and compassionate relationship.

C.Competence and Integrity

Nordic Behavior analysts are responsible, honest and transparent. They engage in ongoing professional development and analyze and improve their own practices. Nordic behaviour analysts maintain a commitment to competence and professional excellence within the field and science of behavior analysis.

Areas of Responsibility

1.Responsibility to Clients

1.1 Behaviour analysts must work in the best interests of their clients, taking care to respect their rights and interests.

1.2 Behaviour analysts should always rule out possible medical or biological causes of behaviour (e.g., pain) and refer to appropriate professionals if this is suspected before selecting another intervention.

1.3 Behaviour analysts are familiar with, and work according to, national laws, regulations and international conventions regarding services to the clients they work with at any given time.

1.4 Behaviour analysts ensure that their services to clients are continuous and uninterrupted.

1.5 Behaviour analysts do not use or support harmful or degrading methods.

2.Diversity, Cultural Humility and Responsiveness

2.1 Behaviour analysts strive to increase their cultural responsiveness by expanding their knowledge of different cultures and diversity.

2.2 Behaviour analysts should be humble, non-judgmental, and consider their own prejudices, biases, and their ability to provide services to people with different needs and/or backgrounds, regardless of, for example, age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, migration status, race, religion, sexual orientation, and social status.

2.3 Behaviour analysts are aware of power, privilege, and equity and do not abuse their status in their work. They strive to collaborate and work in dialogue with clients and the people who care for them.

3.Evidence-Based Practice

3.1 Behaviour analysts inform clients about evidence-based methods and interventions.

3.2 Behaviour analysts apply evidence-based methods and make decisions based on clinical expertise taking account of the learning context and different needs of clients.

3.3 Behaviour analysts should always aim for interventions to improve clients’ skills, dignity, self-determination, well-being, and overall quality of life, and to reduce the risk of harm. Behaviour analysts take account of the values, needs, and desires of clients and always aim for behavioural change to be sustained in natural settings.

3.4 Behaviour analysts only provide services other than behaviour analysis if they are competent to do so and otherwise refer or collaborate with other disciplines as needed.

4.Professional Responsibility

4.1 Ensure consent, confidentiality and privacy.

4.1.1 Behaviour analysts respect the privacy of clients and respect the confidentiality of all those to whom they provide services. Anonymity extends to all aspects of service, whether information is written or oral.

4.1.2 Behaviour analysts are only permitted to share information about a case (1) with those directly involved in the case (e.g., parents of young children), (2) withcolleagues who also work with the client and who have signed a confidentiality agreement, (3) with others not directly involved in the case after informed consent has been obtained from the client or their guardians, (4) if the individual in question is a danger to themselves or others, (5) if authorities make a legitimate request for information related to the client’s case (e.g., the police). In such cases, only necessary information should be shared with third parties.

4.2 Advocacy of clients.

4.2.1 Behaviour analysts should always have the best interests of their clients as their guiding principle when working in a team.

4.2.2 Behaviour analysts should always collaborate with clients and/or family members/guardians/personal advocates when making decisions regarding the selection of intervention goals, type of intervention, assessment, and other matters related to the behaviour analyst’s services.

4.2.3 Behaviour analysts understand who the stakeholders are in each case. When there are multiple stakeholders (e.g. parents, funders, other professionals), the involvement, responsibilities, and obligations of each should be examined and constantly reviewed.

4.2.4 When hired by a third party (e.g., a school) the client’s well-being always take precedence over the interests of the third party. If a conflict of interest arises, behaviour analysts should seek ways to resolve it. If this is not possible, the behaviour analyst should withdraw from the case and / or seek guidance’s and /or direct the interested parties elsewhere.

4.2.5 Behaviour analysts collaborate and seek advice and opinions from other professionals when appropriate within the confines of appropriate confidentiality.

4.3 Responsibility of behaviour analysts as professionals.

4.3.1 Behaviour analysts tell the truth, maintain their professional environment in a way that supports the truthfulness of others, and do not create situations that lead to dishonesty or violations of the law.

4.3.2 Behaviour analysts are responsible for their own behaviour. If something prevents a behaviour analyst from performing their work in a professional manner, they should attempt to resolve this with the best interests of the client placed first.

4.3.3 Behaviour analysts show kindness and respect in terms of the diversity of clients, family members, colleagues, and others.

4.3.4 Behaviour analysts only provide services after providing all relevant information to clients including what is involved, and what expectations can be made regarding the services.

4.3.5 Behaviour analysts provide access to their own criminal records, references, qualifications and other comparable documents upon request.

4.3.6 Behaviour analysts must follow the rules set by their workplace regarding potential conflicts of interest. If a conflict of interest prevents the provision of services, the behaviour analyst must resolve the conflict of interest or withdraw from providing services.

4.3.7 Behaviour analysts provide timely services and inform clients about the estimated timeframe for all elements.

4.3.8 Behaviour analysts inform clients of the circumstances that may lead to the termination of services. Such circumstances include (1) when the client has achieved their goals, (2) if there has been no change for the better for the client, (3) when the client or others are in danger and safety cannot be ensured, (4) when the client requests that services be terminated, (5) when the client rejects the behaviour analyst’s suggestions and litigation is not possible.4.3.9 Behaviour analysts provide support and share important information if services are transferred between professionals if this does not violate privacy laws or breach confidentiality.

4.3.10 Behaviour analysts do not give or accept valuable personal gifts from clients or family members. If gifts are given to a company or a larger group (e.g., an employee cafeteria), behaviour analysts may accept the gift on an equal basis with others.

4.4 Behaviour analysts know their limitations.

4.4.1 Behaviour analysts only take on cases that they have the skills and knowledge to address. They disclose their own limitations and either refer to other behaviour analysts or professionals when experience, skills and/or knowledge are lacking or seek knowledge and guidance from those who are qualified to provide such services.

4.5 Data collection.

4.5.1 Behaviour analysts maintain records of the services provided to ensure accountability and that the services are in accordance with ethical codes and laws that apply to the service.

4.5.2 Behaviour analysts comply with laws and regulations regarding the processing of personal information.

4.5.3 Behaviour analysts collect data on the behaviour being worked on at any given time, analyze the data and make data-driven decisions about the intervention as it progresses.

4.5.4 Behaviour analysts who collect data for research must follow all laws and ethical guidelines that apply in such cases. They should not plagiarize, fabricate or alter data. They should also follow general rules for the secure storing of data and ensure that data does not fall into the hands of unauthorized parties.

4.5.5 Behaviour analysts must disclose any conflicts of interest that arise in the preparation, conduct, or processing of research data. Behaviour analysts must also respect the intellectual property rights of others.

4.6 Beginning and terminating of services.

4.6.1 Behaviour analysts follow general and national laws and regulations when it comes to contractor payments.

4.6.2 Behaviour analysts help to create an agreement that outlines the division of responsibilities for those working on a case.

4.6.3 Behaviour analysts inform clients as accurately as possible about the cost of the service and the likely timeframe.

4.6.4 Behaviour analysts take timely care to find a successor if there is a break in service (e.g. if a behaviour analyst changes their job or goes on leave) and record how services are transferred.

5.Public Statements

5.1 Behaviour analysts emphasize the rights of clients in public statements.

5.2 Behaviour analysts maintain confidentiality with clients in public statements.

5.3 Behaviour analysts do not provide advice in public forums (such as on social media).

5.4 Behaviour analysts do not refer to an intervention as a behavioural intervention if it is not based on behavioural principles or behaviour analytic methods.

5.5 Behaviour analysts are not permitted to publicly comment on client issues (e.g., on social media) without informed consent from the client where applicable.