You probably love your work, and it is natural to want to share a great session with friends. But the moment something goes online or into a public conversation, you lose control of who sees it. This lesson covers what you can and cannot say in public as an RBT, especially on social media.
Why it matters
Clients and families trust you with private moments: a child's hardest day, an adult's daily routine, a family's home life. A single post can expose that information to hundreds of people, including neighbors, classmates, and employers. Once it is shared or screenshotted, deleting it does not undo the harm.
Public statements also shape how people see applied behavior analysis. Overstated promises or a confusing job title can mislead families who are making important decisions. On the exam, this topic usually appears as a short scenario: an RBT wants to post, comment, describe their credential, or respond to a caregiver online, and you choose the most ethical response.
Key ideas
- Anything public is a public statement. Social media posts, comments, stories, online profiles, résumés, websites, interviews, and talks all count, even on a private or "close friends" account.
- Client information stays off your personal accounts. Do not post names, photos, videos, voices, locations, or stories about clients on personal social media. Having a caregiver's permission does not change this.
- "De-identified" is often not de-identified. A child's age, school, diagnosis, or a memorable behavior can let people who know the family recognize them. Blurred faces still leave voices, clothing, and rooms visible.
- Confirming a relationship is a disclosure. Saying, or showing, that someone is your client shares confidential information, even if you add no details.
- Describe yourself accurately. You are a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) who works under the close, ongoing supervision of a qualified supervisor. Don't call yourself a behavior analyst, imply you design treatment, or keep using the RBT title after your credential lapses.
- Don't overpromise. Avoid claims such as "ABA cures autism" or "guaranteed results." Say less rather than exaggerate.
- Testimonials and media go through your supervisor. Don't ask current clients or caregivers for reviews, and don't speak to reporters about clients. Refer these requests to your supervisor or your organization's designated contact.
- You speak for yourself. When you share general information about ABA, make clear it is your own view and keep it general rather than giving individualized clinical advice.
Definitions
- Public statement: anything you say, write, or post where people outside the treatment team can see or hear it.
- Testimonial: a statement from a client or caregiver praising a provider's services, often used to promote them. The BACB's code for behavior analysts does not allow asking current clients or their families for testimonials, because families who rely on the services may feel pressure to agree. As an RBT, you don't ask either.
- Misrepresentation: describing your credentials, training, services, or results in a way that is false, exaggerated, or misleading.
- Personal vs. professional accounts: your own social media is personal. An organization's official page is professional, and any client content there needs informed consent and is managed under your organization's policy, not by you.
Examples from a session
Four moments where public and private meet
- The proud moment (home): Lucia, age 5, says "more bubbles" for the first time. You want to post "My little client said her first two-word phrase!" Instead, you celebrate with Lucia's family in the moment and record the response in your data so your supervisor sees it.
- The tag (clinic): A father posts a public photo of his son thanking "@Ms. Kim, the best therapist ever!" You don't like, comment, or reshare. The next day you tell your supervisor, who handles it under the organization's policy.
- The parent group (online): In a neighborhood group, a parent asks how to stop her 3-year-old's biting. You share general encouragement and suggest she talk with a qualified professional such as a BCBA. You do not post a step-by-step plan or mention "a child I work with who bites."
- The bio (school): Your agency asks for a short staff bio. You write "Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) providing ABA services under the supervision of a BCBA," not "behavior specialist who designs autism programs."
If you ever see a coworker post client content, don't comment publicly on the post, which only draws more attention to it. Let your supervisor know promptly so it can be addressed.
Common mistakes / exam traps
- Thinking permission makes a personal post okay. Even if a caregiver says "go ahead," client content does not belong on your personal account.
- Trusting disappearing stories or private settings. Screenshots last forever, and a "private" audience still includes people outside the treatment team.
- Replying to a caregiver's public post. A friendly "He worked so hard!" confirms the client relationship and adds detail.
- Accepting friend requests from caregivers. Connecting on personal accounts blurs boundaries and invites confidentiality problems. Decline politely and tell your supervisor.
- Inflating your title. Calling yourself a "behavior analyst" or "behavior consultant," or suggesting you design programs, misrepresents an RBT credential.
- Asking families for reviews. Even when someone at your organization asks, don't request a testimonial from a current client's family. Bring the request to your supervisor instead.
Exam trap
When an answer choice says the post is fine because the client "can't be identified," be suspicious. On the exam, the safest choice keeps client information off personal social media completely.
Exam trap
Celebrating a win vs. posting it: the tempting detail is often "the caregiver said it was fine." The deciding feature is where the content goes. Share the win with the family and team and in your data; your own account gets no client content, with or without permission.
Quick check
At a neighborhood barbecue, a neighbor asks Tasha, an RBT, 'Do you work with the Nguyen boy down the street? I see your car there.' What is the best response?