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Except for urgent situations, school psychologists generally seek the informed consent of an adult (the parent or guardian of a child) to establish a school psychologist–client relationship (NASP Standard I.1.2). They respect the right of the individual providing consent to choose or decline the services offered (NASP Standard I.1.5), and they “reopen discussion of consent when appropriate, such as when there is a significant change in previously agreed on goals and services, or when decisions must be made regarding the sharing of sensitive information with others” (NASP Guiding Principle I.1). School psychologists also honor, to the maximum extent appropriate, the right of children to assent to or decline school psychological services (see ssss1 and 7).

However, when working with children, sometimes it is necessary to balance the rights of self-determination and autonomy against concerns for the welfare of the child. The NASP’s code of ethics states: “Ordinarily, school psychologists seek the student’s assent to services; however, it is ethically permissible to bypass student assent to services if the service is considered to be of direct benefit to the student and/or is required by law” (NASP Standard I.1.4; also CPA, 2017, I.35). If a child’s assent is not solicited, school psychologists nevertheless ensure that the child is informed about the nature of the services being provided and is afforded opportunities to participate in decisions that affect them (NASP Standard I.1.4, II.3.14).