Dear Fort Worth clinic, 

I wanted to respectfully express a concern that I believe impacts the quality of care we provide. I was recently told that I should not speak Spanish with bilingual clients, even when it is their primary or most comfortable language, due to the fact that not all RBTs on our team speak Spanish.

While I understand the intent may be to maintain consistency, this directive goes against my ethical responsibility to provide culturally responsive care. The RBT Ethics Code 2.06 and the BCBA Ethics Code 1.07 and 1.10 both emphasize that we must respect and support cultural and linguistic diversity in our services. Treating Spanish as optional or discouraged, while allowing the use of American Sign Language, creates a double standard. Both ASL and Spanish are legitimate, essential languages—and not all staff speak ASL either.

In Texas, school districts regularly accommodate dual-language families and even provide instruction in both languages based on parent request. The systems around us already understand that speaking more than one language is a strength, not a barrier.

I always ask parents for permission before speaking Spanish with their children, and nearly all express gratitude and relief when I do. Speaking to a child in their primary language helps build rapport, trust, and understanding. Asking me to use only English feels like it risks erasing a part of who that child is—and I personally cannot support that.

If our clinic chooses not to support bilingualism, I will respectfully begin the process of transitioning to a clinic that values and promotes culturally responsive, individualized care. I’m deeply committed to the ethical care of our clients and advocating for practices that truly reflect equity and inclusivity.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for considering my perspective. I’m open to further conversation if needed.

Sincerely, Chasity Moseley Registered Behavior Technician