From Assent to Consent: A Practical Framework for Inclusive Minimal-Risk Research With Adults With IDD

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are often presumed to lack the capacity to consent to research participation. Recent literature highlights the importance of prioritizing assent in studies involving adults with IDD. Although philosophically aligned with this literature, we nonetheless argue that researchers enrolling adults with IDD in minimal-risk nontherapeutic research should shift from focusing on assent to treating the process as comprehensive informed consent, regardless of the individual’s legal ability to consent on their own behalf. We provide concrete recommendations and guidance to support researchers in implementing this approach.