What is Informed Consent
and why is it important?

Informed consent is your legal right to voluntarily decide whether or not to undergo a particular medical procedure or treatment, after receiving all the facts necessary to make an intelligent decision.

When medical treatment involves the use of psychotropic drugs, informed consent is especially important in order to safeguard the fundamental right to freedom of thought. A patient’s cognitive autonomy must be respected.

Parents (or a child's guardian) have the legal right to make medical and treatment decisions that are in their child's best interest. Doctors, school personnel, and others must respect these decisions.

Please visit the Parents Section of this site to learn how you can help us prepare important materials that will educate and empower parents to exercise their right to informed consent.