Management of children with learning disabilities and behavioural disorders: ethics and law

Abstract

A significant minority of children with learning disabilities present with severe behavioural disturbance that affects their integration in the community, and may seriously impair their physical and mental health, and cause distress to their carers. Useful interventions, which can reduce the frequency and severity of the behaviour, raise important ethical and legal issues when applied to these individuals. The paper presents a selective review of the literature addressing ethical arguments for and against the use of different interventions for a variety of behavioural disorders and the legal requirements that must be met. Although a balance must be struck between arguments for and against issues of best interest and the nature of the treatment, health professionals need to seek the views of all involved in the care of the child. It is recommended that attempts to obtain consent and the treatment decision-making process must be clearly recorded during routine clinical practice.