The Beans Community Forum - Community Guidelines

Introduction

The Beans Community Forum is a supportive space for parents, carers, and professionals to share experiences and knowledge about emotional regulation, autism, and ADHD in children. These guidelines ensure our community remains helpful, safe, and welcoming for everyone.

Our Core Values

• Respect and Support

  • Treat all community members with respect, even when opinions differ

  • Offer encouragement and constructive feedback

  • Acknowledge that every child's and family's journey is unique

  • Practise empathy in all interactions

• Safety and Privacy

  • Protect personal information - yours and others'

  • Never share identifying details about children

  • Respect medical privacy and confidentiality

  • Don't share private contact information publicly

• We do not allow:

  • Discriminatory or prejudiced content of any kind

  • Commercial advertising or self-promotion

  • Spam or repeated unwanted content

  • Content promoting harmful or unsafe practices

  • Harassment or bullying

  • Impersonation of others

  • Personal attacks or trolling

  • Sharing of private medical information

  • Content that violates intellectual property rights

• Quality Contributions

  • Write clearly and thoughtfully

  • Stay on topic and relevant to the community's focus

  • Support claims with credible sources when possible

  • Share personal experiences respectfully

  • Ask questions constructively

• Medical and Professional Advice

  • Clearly distinguish between personal experience and professional advice

  • Include appropriate disclaimers when discussing medical topics

  • Remember that forum discussions don't replace professional medical advice

  • Be cautious when recommending treatments or interventions

Enforcement

• Content violating these guidelines may be removed

• Repeated violations may result in temporary or permanent suspension

• Community moderators help maintain these standards

• Members can report concerning content using the "Report" button

Urgent Support

• The forum is not an emergency service. If you need immediate assistance:

• Contact your GP or healthcare provider

• Ring your local crisis support services

• Use emergency services when appropriate

Special Content Guidelines

• Research and Studies

• Include sources when citing research

• Clearly indicate if information is from ongoing or completed studies

• Note any potential conflicts of interest

• Personal Stories

• Share your experiences whilst respecting privacy

• Use content warnings when discussing sensitive topics

• Focus on constructive aspects of your journey

• Professional Contributions

• Clearly state your professional background if relevant

• Maintain professional boundaries

• Provide general information rather than individual advice

Reporting and Moderation

• Our community is actively moderated to maintain these standards:

• Use the "Report" button for guideline violations

• Moderators review reports promptly

• Appeals can be made through proper channels

• Feedback on moderation is welcome through appropriate channels

Updates and Changes

• Guidelines may be updated as our community evolves

• Major changes will be announced to the community

• Members are responsible for staying informed of updates

Remember: The Beans Community Forum exists to support and inform. By participating, you agree to help maintain a constructive, respectful, and helpful environment for all members.