Can a Client Help Write an ABA Behavior Contract?

Create a client-written ABA behavior contract

Begin with the person's desired outcome. Offer accessible options for wording, pictures, audio, examples, or a visual map. Let the person remove a term, propose a different support, or choose another planning method. Record who contributed each part when authorship matters.

Make partner duties negotiable too

Invite the client to say what helpers should do, avoid, and provide. That may include waiting, recognizing AAC, preparing materials, offering privacy, using a preferred reminder, honoring a stop signal, or delivering the stated outcome. The agreement should create accountability around the person as well as for the person.

Use ethics and examination sources in scope

The BACB outline covers contingency contracting and client-informed procedures as examination content. The Ethics Code addresses understandable communication, client and stakeholder involvement, consent and assent when applicable, risk, and evaluation. These sources support collaboration without establishing one writing process.

Preserve communication access

The ASHA AAC guidance supports continual access to communication tools. Provide enough wait time and accessible messages for yes, change, help, pause, finished, and disagreement. A partner can support access without selecting the client's answer.

A practical example

Leila chooses a picture agreement for preparing a packed lunch. Leila selects two steps to track, chooses a visual recipe as an ordinary support, and asks the caregiver to place ingredients on an accessible shelf. The outcome is eating the chosen lunch. Leila removes an added praise line because it feels distracting.

Questions families can use

Which words or symbols came from the client? Can they revise or remove a term? Are partner duties included? Which outcome did the person choose? How can the person pause or end participation?