Think about it… would you have your minor child accompany you to an appointment and put them in the critical position of making sure you understand what’s going on? They are not certified interpreters and do exactly what we are taught NOT to do – edit the message or give personal opinions! (Embarrassing topic? Content too difficult to keep up with? Don’t like the way the hearing professional is treating their parent? HIPAA violation?) Professional and certified interpreters do not edit; they keep their opinions out of it and are bound by a Code of Professional Conduct (CPC). Our job is to make sure effective communication is happening. In fact, the revised regulations of the ADA forbid the use of a minor as an interpreter unless it is an absolute emergency (life or death).
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