When interpreting for pediatric patients, should the interpreter seek the patient's assent when feasible?

• A. Always assent
• B. Never assent
• C. Only for teenagers
• D. Seek patient assent when feasible, while involving parents per policy

Answer: (D)

When interpreting for pediatric patients, seek the child’s assent when feasible, while involving parents per policy. Assent means the child understands enough to agree to participate and communicates a voluntary assent to the plan, honoring their growing autonomy. The interpreter’s role is to translate the clinician’s explanations into age-appropriate language, check for understanding, and invite the child’s consent when appropriate, all while following institutional rules about parental involvement and legal consent. If the child cannot assent due to age, developmental level, or the clinical situation, or if policy requires it, rely on parental consent and surrogate decision-making, but whenever feasible, include the child in the conversation and obtain assent.