Live and Learn with the Power to
Make Informed Choices!
Supported Decision Making (SDM) is a well-established practice that allows adults living with an intellectual or developmental disability to make decisions with the support of a team of people they trust. SDM is an alternative to guardianship, which takes away an individual's legal rights and freedoms, and allows Individuals to make important life decisions and stay in charge of their own lives.
There are options.
We all make decisions big and small. And we all ask people we trust to help us make decisions. Just because you need help making decisions does not mean you need a guardian. There are other ways to get help with decisions and still keep your legal right to make decisions.
Keep scrolling to learn more about Supported Decision Making and other alternatives to guardianship.
Who’s on the team?
The individual identifies the people they trust to help them make decisions and achieve their goals. That support can include family, friends, former teachers, neighbors, co-workers, staff of a community organization and other community members and resources.
A supporter has to agree that they are willing to provide the individual with support based on how the individual seeks support from them. It may include helping them understand options and possible outcomes, researching information, assisting with how to communicate their decisions, etc.
How does it work?
There are three basic steps:
1. The individual and team determine that SDM is the model.
2. The individual determines:
a. Who they trust to be a designated supporter
b. What which decisions they will need help
c. How they will want help
3. The designated supporters are asked an must agree to being a part of the circle of support.
Resources for everyone…
We all want to live a life where we can make our own decisions.
Supported Decision Making
is a choice for you and your future.
We all want our children to grow to be happy, successful, and surrounded by people who care about them.
Supported Decision Making offers parents and caregivers peace of mind.
We all want students to graduate and go on to lead healthy and happy lives.
Supported Decision Making is an alternative to guardianship as the student, their parents and school team plan their transition.