Ethical Issues in Assessments with Infants and Children

Abstract

When conducting assessments with infants and children it important for psychologists to be mindful of the ethical issues that may arise. Ethical issues may arise when proper procedures for performing assessments are not carried out. The present review will focus on the following ethical issues as they pertain to assessments with infants and children: obtaining parental consent, respecting children's autonomy, maintaining confidentiality, separating children and parents during assessments, and using multiple sources of information and appropriate measures. Guidelines for ensuring the competent evaluation of children are then offered, with attention to the dynamic nature of the assessment process and the critical role of parents.