Supported Decision-Making

Everyone makes decisions everyday. Some decisions are small while others are large. 
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Small Decisions include:

• What to wear?
• What to eat at mealtimes?
• To sleep in or wake up on time?
• What store to go to?

Can you think of a small decision you made today?

Large decisions include:​
•What job to have?
•Where will you live?
•Whether or not to pursue higher education?
•Whether it is appropriate for a power of attorney or guardianship?
•Medical Care- whether to run a specific test or not? Whether to have surgery or not? Whether or not to try a certain medication?
​Can you think of a large decision you have made recently?

Sometimes we need help from others to help us make decisions. 

Who can help me make decisions?
•Parents or legal guardian
•Other family members
•Friends
•Neighbor
•Therapist/Counselor/Social Worker
•Case Manager/Service Coordinator 
•Doctor/Specialist
•Lawyer
•Support Staff/DSP/PCA
Who's on your team?

There are decision-making principles to keep in mind when making a decision with your team.
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Decision-Making Principles:
•Everyone has the right to make their own decision(s) especially about things that affect them. 
•Every effort should be made to support people to make their decisions: This means you're allowed to have help in making your decisions. 
•Capacity should be assumed and is decision specific: This means that a person is assumed to be competent no matter what the circumstance. 
•Decision making is a skill we learn: Decision making is something we practice to get better at. So, when we have large decisions we are able to decide easier. 

People have the right to:

• Learn from experience
• Change their minds
• Make decisions others might not agree with

Decision-Making Agreement:
An agreement is when two people who are willing to provide something to each other.
You are giving your supporters the “AUTHORIZATION” to assist you in the areas of life that you need help or support in. That means that you are giving your “PERMISSION” for your supporters to point out all your options and support you with taking the steps to accomplish your goals. Supported Decision Making agreements are in writing and will take some planning. An agreement explains to your supporters what you want them to and what you don't want them  to do. 

Sample Decision-Making Agreements can be found here: 
Decision-Making Agreement 1
Decision-Making Agreement 2
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​Charting the LifeCourse provides a decision making portfolio. It can be found here: 
LifeCourse Decision-Making Portfolio  
​Charting the LifeCourse also provides an assessment to figure out what supports are needed to make decisions in all areas of your life. It can be found here:
LifeCourse Decision-Making Assessment

​Sometimes when we have to make a decision it is helpful to make a pros and cons list. It's helps if you weigh the positives and negatives to each solution. It's best if you pick the best choice for you. It also helps if you don't put off or procrastinate in making the decision. A decision-making worksheet can be found below:
Decision-Making Worksheet

Why is this important?
​•This is YOUR life. You get to make the decisions.
•You can lead your plan
•You can have help/someone else can lead
•You can have family advocates
•You can have training to help you advocate
•You have the right not to have negative consequences (effect) by speaking up
•You may choose how long and how often you meet 

Sources:
http://www.lifecoursetools.com/lifecourse-library/exploring-the-life-domains/supported-decision-making/
https://www.idaholegalaid.org/sites/idaholegalaid.org/files/Supported%20Decision%20Making%20-%20An%20Alternative%20to%20Guardianship%20-%20A%20Self-Advocate%27s%20Guide.pdf
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Expectations Matter : My Life, My Choice, My Plan 2 hour module 
Person-Centered Planning Training
Shared Support Maryland, Inc.
Current Trainings 

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Written by Emily Wachter

Emily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a social worker. In addition to autism, Emily has a plethora of other physical and mental conditions, which include: Attention Deficit Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, 3Q29 Deletion Syndrome, Non-classical Diamond Blackfan Anemia, and Deaf in my right ear. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.