Terms You Should Know: Main

Assent	IRB	Randomization
Blinding or Masking	Placebo
Informed Consent	Protocol

Assent

"The term used when a child agrees to be in a study."

Even though parents and guardians must consent for their child to join a study, children should have a part in making a decision to join a study, if they are capable of doing so. When a child is asked to have a part in the decision, this is called "assent".

Children do want to have a say in what happens to them...and they want to ask questions and have them answered. When children are asked if they want to join a study, it shows respect for them. And they will feel good about being in the study and more committed to doing what the study requires.

If a child is old enough to understand the study, many times assent is required. It has been found that most children from age 7 can understand basic information if it is given at their level. So, in most studies, children are now asked if they agree (assent) to be in a study and are asked to sign an assent form. These forms are usually a simpler version of the consent form that parents sign. They have also been reviewed by the same safety group, the Institutional Review Board, to assure that the forms are accurate and at a child's level. Making sure children have a say is important, but remember - not all studies require assent, and the age when assent is requested can vary depending on the study.