By consistently applying these

Ethical principles and legal systems

ethical principles, therapists can

THERAPIST RELATED ETHICAL

often overlap in the context of therapists
provide ethical and effective care to
working with individuals with individuals with neurodevelopmental
neurodevelopmental disorders. While disorders while upholding their

CONSIDERATIONS WITH
ethical principles guide therapists'
conduct and decision-making to ensure
the well-being of their clients, legal
systems establish rules and regulations
professional responsibilities and
ethical obligations. It's important to Psychologists must adhere to a range of
note that specific ethical guidelines legal and ethical considerations. They

NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER
that therapists must adhere to in their
practice
may vary depending on the
therapist's professional association
and local laws and regulations.
need proper licensing and credentials,
ensuring compliance with local
regulations. Informed consent, involving

POPULATION clients or guardians, is essential,

outlining services, risks, and rights.
Confidentiality must be maintained,
following privacy laws while sharing
BY SULAGNA DATTA
CASE ANALYSIS information when necessary. Reporting
child abuse or harm to vulnerable adults
Mark, a 30-year-old adult with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is mandatory by law. Awareness of

Introduction RECENT FINDINGS

Contemporary Ethics
The population includes Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Challenges
Reproductive Health
Cerebral Palsy among others. Doubly Vulnerable
When dealing with neurodevelopmental disorders, ethical Decision-Making
Shared Decision-Making.
considerations play a crucial role in guiding therapists and
Communication
healthcare professionals. These considerations emphasize the
Benefits
importance of respecting the autonomy and dignity of individuals Parental Role
Ethical Considerations
with such disorders, ensuring their well-being and safety,
Training
maintaining strict confidentiality, and employing evidence-based,
Shared Responsibility.
culturally sensitive approaches to treatment. Ethical guidelines Positive Outcomes
Historical Prejudices
also underscore the need for ongoing professional development
Common Morality
and collaboration, emphasizing a commitment to delivering the Ontologic Understanding
highest quality of care while upholding the rights and ethical Negative Attitudes
Resource Allocation
principles that protect this vulnerable population. (Bell, Shevell, Barriers in Healthcare
Ethical Implications
2013)
(Varkey, 2020)
(ADHD), seeks therapy to improve his time management and
organizational skills, which have been causing difficulties in both his
special education laws (e.g., IDEA) is
crucial for clients with
neurodevelopmental disorders.
personal and professional life. Compliance with anti-discrimination
laws like ADA is vital, providing
accessibility and accommodations.
Ethical Considerations: Practicing within one's competency and
The therapist must secure informed consent, respecting Mark's autonomy, maintaining confidentiality, and scope is necessary to avoid legal and
demonstrating competence in treating adult ADHD using evidence-based practices. ethical issues. Legal processes must be
navigated when dealing with clients with
Legal Aspects: limited decision-making capacity.
Professional liability insurance is
Legal requirements mandate informed consent and confidentiality. Therapists must practice within their
advisable to safeguard against
scope, hold appropriate licenses and credentials, with violations potentially leading to legal consequences
malpractice claims, and adherence to
HIPAA regulations is a must for
The sociocultural perspective considers how cultural stigma, societal expectations, access to resources,
handling and storing client health
cultural perceptions of ADHD, and family/social support influence his experience with ADHD and his information.
therapy journey for improving time management and organizational skills. It underscores the importance of
addressing these cultural and societal factors to provide effective support.

OVERLAP BETWEEN LEGAL AND ETHICS

RESOLUTION AND CONSIDERATIONS Ethical principles In
Informed Consent: Therapists must obtain informed consent from clients or their legally authorized
representatives before providing treatment. This is based on the ethical principle of respecting autonomy.
Evidence-Based Practice
Confidentiality: Therapists are obligated to maintain client confidentiality to build trust and protect their privacy.
Advocacy
Autonomy Scope of Practice- Ethical Principle: Therapists should work within their scope of competence and expertise to
Consultation
Beneficience ensure the quality of care.
Legal and Ethical Guidelines
Non-Maleficence Professional Competence: Therapists have an ethical duty to maintain their professional competence through
Supervision ongoing education and training.
Justice
Confidentiality Child Abuse Reporting: Therapists have an ethical duty to protect vulnerable clients, including reporting
Cultural competence suspected child abuse or neglect.
Informed Consent Treatment Efficacy: Therapists should use evidence-based practices to provide effective treatment for clients,
including those with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Professional Competence
ETHICAL DILEMMAS Boundaries and Dual relationships
Dual Relationships: Therapists should avoid dual relationships with clients to maintain professional boundaries
and prevent conflicts of interest.
1. Client's Best Interest: The therapist's primary ethical obligation is to act in the best interest of the client, which Advocacy
Access to Service: Therapists have an ethical duty to ensure equal access to services and advocate for clients'
includes promoting their safety and well-being. In this case, the child's self-injurious behavior poses a significant Scope of Practice
rights.
risk, and the parents argue that aversive interventions might be the only effective solution. Regular supervision and Consultation
2. Autonomy and Beneficence: Ethical principles of autonomy and beneficence come into conflict. The child may (APA, 2019)
lack the capacity to provide informed consent, and the therapist must consider whether aversive interventions BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hens, K. (2019). The many meanings of autism: conceptual and ethical reflections. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 61(9), 1025–
align with the child's best interests and autonomy, even if the parents believe it to be beneficial.
1029. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14278
3. Non-Maleficence: The therapist must also adhere to the principle of non-maleficence, which means "do no
harm." The use of aversive interventions could potentially cause physical and psychological harm to the child. Racine, É., Bell, E., & Shevell, M. (2013). Ethics in neurodevelopmental disability. In Handbook of Clinical Neurology (pp. 243–263).
4. Professional Competence: The therapist must assess their own competence and expertise in using aversive CONCLUSION https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-444-53501-6.00021-4

interventions. Are they adequately trained and experienced to use such techniques safely and effectively? This poster summarizes the therapist Graf, W., Miller, G., Epstein, L. G., & Rapin, I. (2017). The autism “epidemic.” Neurology, 88(14), 1371–1380.
5. When working with neurodevelopmental disorder populations, such as a non-verbal child with severe autism related ethical and legal https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0000000000003791

and self-injurious behavior, it's essential to view their needs through a multicultural lens. In cases where considerations when dealing with
Ethical and legal issues in neurology. (n.d.). Google Books. https://books.google.co.in/books?
aversive interventions like shock therapy are suggested by parents, therapists should prioritize evidence-based, Neurodevelopmental disorder hl=en&lr=&id=ttNzDAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT6&dq=ethics+when+clinicians+deal+with+neurodevelopmental+disorder+population&ots=Ot1g
culturally sensitive approaches, respecting cultural beliefs, and promoting the child's well-being and dignity CJJZ0L&sig=3DYoAWjcw-6ebnTmph4uyF-BAno
population
while considering ethical guidelines. Cervantes, P. E., Matson, J. L., Matheis, M., & Burns, C. O. (2017). Ethical considerations regarding treatment. In Autism and child
(APA, 2019) psychopathology series (pp. 41–58). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61738-1_3