Informed Consent

Taking from pre-modernist, modernist and post-modernist perspectives, this chapter traces the history of consent theory, demonstrating how deprivation and infringement of the rights for many people, especially those with intellectual disabilities, has occurred. A focus on the rise of bioethics is explored in relation to autonomy and self-determination of intellectually disabled individuals. Readers are invited to think of informed consent as not only an approach to personal rights but also as augmenting inclusion in society. Taking this approach, processes and interactions are presented which recognise the simplicity and multifactorial nature of informed consent, with the authors placing emphasis on communicative interactions, which require active involvement of those involved. In this vein, people with intellectual disability are viewed as active agents central to decision-making when providing informed consent and require support within the context of trusting and respectful relationships. Ultimately, this chapter provides insight for creative discussions which focus on the enablement of intellectually disabled people to provide informed consent for their life choices.