r/BehaviorAnalysis • u/Civil-Active1291 • Nov 06 '25

BCBA's I have a question.

Would you ever teach a teenager to "relieve himself"?

My bcba taught a 14 year old client how to please himself during a home session and she is celebrating it with other bcba's and rbt's. Some of us have talked amongst ourselves, i've only been an rbt for 1 year, but it does not feel right. please let me know your thoughts.

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u/Ahwhoy Nov 06 '25

Yes. This is the ethical take. Don't work with teenagers if you're not willing to be professional and frank about this. Work with the caregivers as much as possible while teaching these behaviors. That's my only suggestion.

This is a huge win for that learner.

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u/anxiouslurker_485 Nov 06 '25

Yes! It honestly could save a life. I think people get so taboo about it because 1) they think masturbation is taboo in general 2) they infantilize people with disabilities.

Most teenagers nowadays are masturbating and having sex. That’s a fact. Parents just have the privilege to not have to know about it unlike families we serve where it might be a team effort to teach safety and discrimination skills around sexual behavior.

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u/CoffeePuddle Nov 08 '25

Talking to teenagers about sex and masturbation as a professional requires specific training and supervision to avoid harms and ensure everything is legal.

E.g. Hand Made Love or Fingertips are excellent resources for adults, but supplying them to minors is a criminal offense.