If you’ve ever had a behavior analyst or RBT in your home, then you’ve likely offered them something to eat or drink. You might have even offered them something as a celebration for a work milestone. After all, that analyst or RBT is in your home and part of your family to a degree. Before we go on, I just want to say that it is always appreciated and we are always flattered when the offer comes up!

If you’ve ever been faced with a rejection for that gift, I want to speak for behavior analysts and RBTs alike and say this; I PROMISE it’s not personal. Many of us have been trained to politely refuse any gifts because it would essentially “breach” the professional relationship. After all, we are entering your home as a service provider.

To further illustrate, each certified member of the field has an obligation to follow our ethics code. More specifically, both behavior analysts and RBTs have specific professional code items that discuss gifts. Check these out:

For Analysts:

• 1.12: Giving and Receiving Gifts: Because the exchange of gifts can invite conflicts of interest and multiple relationships, behavior analysts do not give gifts to or accept gifts from clients, stakeholders, supervisees, or trainees with a monetary value of more than $10 US dollars (or the equivalent purchasing power in another currency). Behavior analysts make clients and stakeholders aware of this requirement at the onset of the professional relationship. A gift is acceptable if it functions as an infrequent expression of gratitude and does not result in financial benefit to the recipient. Instances of giving or accepting ongoing or cumulative gifts may rise to the level of a violation of this standard if the gifts become a regularly expected source of income or value to the recipient.

For RBTs:

• 1.11: Because the exchange of gifts can lead to conflicts of interest and multiple relationships, RBTs do not give gifts to or accept gifts from clients, stakeholders, or supervisors with a monetary value of more than $10 US dollars (or the equivalent purchasing power in another currency). A gift is acceptable if it functions as an occasional expression of gratitude and does not result in financial benefit to the recipient. Instances of giving or accepting ongoing or cumulative gifts may rise to the level of a violation of this standard if the gifts become a regularly expected source of income or value to the recipient. If an employer has a stricter policy regarding gift exchange (e.g., prohibiting gift exchange), RBTs follow that policy.

However, as you can see, our board certification does allow us to accept gifts of up to $10 now, which is a great relief for many of us who consistently receive requests to taste those delicious cookies or have a small cup of coffee. We no longer have to “stress” about how to tell you no without offending you or upsetting you (I promise, that is always the last thing we want to do).

You might find that the behavior analyst or the RBT may still politely decline your offer. This may be due to any number of reasons (allergies, diet, an ethics preference, etc.). Personally, I can’t taste your bacon-wrapped shrimp (as much as I love BBQ) because I’m vegetarian. 

My best recommendation for approaching these situations is simply to ask what their preference is. We want to be culturally responsive and ensure that we are honoring your preferred practices. Ethically, we will continue to work with you to ensure that YOU are the most comfortable you can be, including determine the best way to accept or decline gifts. Some of us may opt for a “no thank you” portion, rather than the entire slice of cake. But one thing I want to ensure you are made aware of, above all else:

It’s not you. It’s us. 

Reference:

Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2020). Ethics code for behavior analysts. https://bacb.com/wp-content/ethics-code-for-behavior-analysts/

Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2021). RBT ethics code (2.0). https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/rbt-ethics-code