Assessing the Ability of Adults with Mental Retardation to Give Direct Consent for Residential Placements: A Follow-up Study for the Consent Screening Interview

Abstract

The ability to give informed consent is assumed by most people in the United States at age 18. This basic civil right often is denied to adults with mental retardation, a denial based on nebulous criteria. The opportunity to give informed consent is considered to be an important aspect of self-determination and adult status, and therefore adults with mental retardation who have the ability to consent should be afforded the right to express their preferences, values, and opinions about the places they live, work, and play. The Consent Screening Interview was developed as a screening tool to give consumers with mental retardation an opportunity to express personal views and preferences about community residential placements and to give service providers an indication of consumers ability to give informed consent. Data from the follow-up study supported the value of valid consumer self-reporting in determining the quality and appropriateness of services and placements.