ABA Exam CoachLessons · E. Ethical and Professional Issues
E.6 · Discontinuing and transitioning services
Ending services is a skill in its own right, and doing it badly can undo months of good work. Let's look at when it's right to stop services or supervision, and how to hand someone off without leaving them stranded.
Key takeaway
Discontinuing services or supervision is a planned, documented process. It is never an abrupt drop. Valid reasons include goals met, no benefit even after the plan was revised, a risk of harm that can't be reduced, a request to stop, ongoing non-adherence after you've worked on the barriers, or funding ending. When ending is warranted, give a written plan, document that it was acknowledged, review progress, make recommendations and referrals, and keep serving until the planned end date. When transitioning to another professional, coordinate with them and share records only with consent.
Discontinuing services or supervision is a planned, documented process. It is never an abrupt drop. Valid reasons include goals met, no benefit even after the plan was revised, a risk of harm that can't be reduced, a request to stop, ongoing non-adherence after you've worked on the barriers, or funding ending. When ending is warranted, give a written plan, document that it was acknowledged, review progress, make recommendations and referrals, and keep serving until the planned end date. When transitioning to another professional, coordinate with them and share records only with consent.
Members get the full lesson video, notes and a 5-question test
The video walks through the idea, worked examples, the trap people fall into and an exam-style question. The notes and the checkpoint come with it, and your results feed your Where to focus plan.