Informed Consent to Treatment (Child)

Description

Prior to commencing treatment, we need client consent. Many speech pathologists rely on implied consent, assuming that if clients turn up to therapy, they consent to your treatment. But a safer approach – the approach taken by doctors and many other health professionals – is to obtain express, prior written consent.

If nothing else, seeking written consent before you start therapy gives you an opportunity to have an open conversation with your client about assessment findings, treatment alternatives, expected benefits, risks and factors that may affect outcomes (like attendance and home practice).

This short form consent is designed to help you get consent and to prompt that important discussion with your clients.