Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics for ALTA members expresses the profession’s recognition of its responsibilities due students, parents, legal guardians or caretakers, administrators, colleagues, associated professionals, and the community, through its members.
Compliance with the Principles and Rules will guide ALTA members in the fulfillment of their personal conduct, clinical expertise, professional competence, and responsibilities necessary to maintain the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct. The omission of any other ethic or rule must not be interpreted as denial of those ethics or rules.
By acceptance of voluntary membership in ALTA, members accept an obligation of self-discipline, beyond the requirements of the law, to observe the Code of Ethics under all conditions of professional activity. Any violation of the Code of Ethics will be deemed unethical.
The fundamentals of ethical conduct are described by Principles and Rules. Principles provide the moral framework for standards of personal and professional conduct, clinical expertise, and competence. Rules represent minimally acceptable standards of professional conduct.
Principle I — ALTA members shall maintain the highest standards of integrity, clinical competence, and responsibility in their professional interaction with their students.
RULES:
ALTA members shall:
A. Strictly abide by the Code of Ethics in their interactions and dialogues in the delivery of their professional service
B. Provide all services with the highest standards of professional competence.
C. Refrain from any conduct involving fraud, deceit, dishonesty, misrepresentation, unprofessional communication, sexual misconduct, or other actions which may cause the student physical or emotional injury.
D. Maintain strictly confidential student records in accordance with the highest professional integrity and release this information only under the following circumstances
- When required by law;
- With written consent from the adult student, or from the parent(s), legal guardian(s) or caretaker(s) of the minor student;
- When there is clear and imminent danger to the student, another individual, or society.
E. Maintain adequate records of professional services rendered and provide reasonable access to these records limited by confidentiality.
F. Be familiar with all the available diagnostic data and other relevant information regarding each student.
G. Limit professional services to the areas of documented competencies and shall not misrepresent or falsely advertise their qualifications, training, clinical competencies, credentials or professional status.
H. Provide professional services only as long as such services are deemed beneficial to the student.
I. Exercise caution not to mislead individuals by guaranteeing the results of any therapeutic procedures or services.
J. Avoid offering any professional services to an individual concurrently receiving them from another ALTA member, except with the prior knowledge and consent of that member.
K. Not discriminate according to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin in the delivery of professional services.
Principle II — ALTA members shall maintain the highest standards of integrity, clinical competence, and responsibility in their professional interaction with parents, legal guardians, or caretakers of their students.
RULES:
ALTA members shall:
A. Not engage in any conduct involving fraud, deceit, dishonesty, misrepresentation, unprofessional communication, or other actions to cause physical or emotional injury.
B. Inform the parent(s), legal guardian(s) or caretaker(s) of all aspects of the professional relationship including goals, techniques, fees, materials, and hours.
C. Obtain written consent from the parent(s), legal guardian(s) or caretaker(s) and/or the student regarding the use of that student’s data/portfolio for research or teaching activities.
D. Maintain objectivity and refrain from participating in activities that create a conflict of interest. They shall:
- Respect freedom of choice of professional services and/or products;
- Accurately describe the performance of a product they have developed;
- Not mislead the student or parent regarding the exclusive use or recommendation of products created or produced by the ALTA member(s).
Principle III — ALTA members shall maintain the highest standards of professional integrity, competence and responsibility in their relationship with administrators, colleagues, other allied professionals and the community.
RULES:
ALTA members shall:
A. Not engage in any conduct involving fraud, deceit, dishonesty, misrepresentation, unprofessional communication, or other actions to cause physical or emotional injury.
B. Not malign or discredit any member of ALTA, other professionals, or instructional programs and shall strive to establish and maintain congenial relations with their colleagues and members of other professions.
C. Refer individuals/organizations for recommended professional services to those professionals qualified to perform the recommended professional services and not on the basis of any personal financial interest.
D. Not engage in the diagnosis or medical treatment of dyslexia unless otherwise qualified to do so, but may suggest appropriate academic, psychological and/or medical evaluation.
E. Neither give nor receive a commission, rebate or any other form of remuneration for the referral of students for Academic Language Therapy or other professional services.
F. Give appropriate credit to contributors in the field.
Principle IV — ALTA members shall maintain the highest standards of commitment to the profession and ALTA.
RULES:
ALTA members shall:
A. Pursue their continued professional development in compliance with ALTA’s continuing education requirements.
B. Be obliged to notify the Ethics Committee of ALTA of possible violations of the Code of Ethics.
C. Assist the Ethics Committee of ALTA in any matters pertaining to this Code.
Revised 2008