Consent in severely disabled children: informed or an infringement of their human rights?

Abstract

In this article the issue of consent in children is examined with particular reference to disabled children and young people. It is demonstrated that gaining informed consent from disabled children is still a long way off and that the issues are not clear. The law delivers contradictory rulings, parents and families are becoming more vocal in challenging doctors, and the courts are becoming increasingly involved in decision-making on treatment options. The Human Rights Act 1998 is becoming more prominent in informing these decisions. The article concludes that these developments may not be in the best interests of disabled children and that strategies are needed to help them communicate their views.