Decision Makers

When using the Supported Decision Making process, you are called the “Decision Maker.” A decision maker is a person who makes decisions about their own life.

At the center of being a Decision Maker is an idea called “Self-Determination”. Self-Determination is all about having the power to make choices about your own life, what you want to do, and how you want to do it.

Every day you make decisions about your life. Some of these decisions you make on your own, but other decisions you may need help with. By using a team of Supporters (or people you trust like friends and family), you decide the help you need. Navigating decision and support will look different for every decision.

You will get better at making decisions the more you practice.  Part of the process is figuring out what works best for you. Sometimes you will make a decision and it will not turn out the way you wanted. Your team of supporters will be there to help you problem solve and learn what you can do differently next time. Remember, we all make mistakes.

Complete the worksheets (on this page, under Decision Maker Worksheets) to help you get started on the Supported Decision Making process:

• What decisions do you make? – an assessment that helps you determine what areas in life where you might need more opportunities to learn or practice important decision making skills.
• Your daily decisions discussion- This is a worksheet that helps you recognize that you might already be making decisions (big or small)!
• Supported Decision Making Summary Sheet – top 8 things you should know about Supported Decision Making

Supporters are trusted people from your life that you would ask to help you make decisions. They could be family members, friends, or anyone else you trust, like coaches or counselors.  They are here to support you in making your own decisions by:

• sharing their advice
• helping find information,
• asking questions, and
• discussing your options.

At the end of the day, it is your choice to make.

Who are your Supporters?

Pick people who believe in you!  Your supporter should respect and listen to you.

For example:

• Steven is not remembering to pay his phone bill on time.  He decides to ask his neighbor and friend Greg to help him. Greg identified a few ideas that might help Steven remember, including 1) setting up a reminder on his phone and 2) setting up automatic payments for his phone bill. Steven felt he should first set up automatic payments and then set a reminder that the bill will be paid to stay on top of his budget.

You will need to inform these Supporters that you are using  Supported Decision Making to help make decisions and you that there may be time when you will be asking them for help in making a decision. and how you are using it. You can direct Supporters to this website www.sdmpa.org if they want to learn more about Supported Decision Making.

Sometimes when discussing a decision that involves private information (healthcare, education or financial) there may be paperwork involved to share this information to them. Each business, school, agency or doctor’s office may have different paperwork or Release of Information form.

Note: Some states have official Supported Decision Making agreements but Pennsylvania does not.

Complete the worksheets (on the right hand side, Supporter Worksheets) to help you get started on deciding who you want to be a Supporter:

• Questions for Building Your Circle of Support: Questions to think about before getting started
• My Supporters: A worksheet you can use to help figure out who you’d like in your circle, and why you’d choose them.
• I want you in my Circle: Sample letter for Supporter: A sample letter you can send, give, or text to a potential supporter
• How I want to be Helped: Working together, communication, and accommodations: A worksheet you can fill out with your supporter so they understand your wants and needs.

If you yourself are a supporter or are considering becoming one, please click here and take a look at our supporters toolkit

Once you have chosen your Supporters, the next step is making a decision! Here are 5 steps for making a decision:

1. Identify the Decision: What do you want to decide?
2. Gather Information and Contact Your Supporter: Now that you know what the decision is, you need to gather information or research your options. Who do you want to choose to help you make this decision? How should they help you?
3. Identify Possible Outcomes: Once you have enough information, you’ll need to think about the different outcomes of your decision. What do you want to happen? What could go wrong? What happens if you make a decision and things don’t go well?
4. Make and Communicate Decisions: After you think about all the possible outcomes, then it’s time to make your decision. Is everyone involved in the decision aware of your choice? Do you have everything you need (paperwork, money, people, etc)?
5. Reflect on Experience: Now that you’ve made your decision, it’s always good to take some time to reflect on how it went.
   Some questions to help you reflect:
   • Did your decision turn out the way you wanted it?
   • What was the hardest part of making this decision?
   • What went well when making this decision?
   • What would you do differently next time?

What happens if my supporter disagrees with me?
Sometimes your Supporter may not agree with your decision. The supporter can share their viewpoint but ultimately is up to you to decide for yourself. Even decisions that involve risk, it is your right to make that choice and experience the consequences. You can learn from this decision.

Supported Decision Making Process: Chris’ Example

Tools for decision makers who do not communicate verbally:

Online Choice Board

• Cboard is an AAC web app for children and adults with speech and language impairments, aiding communication with symbols and text-to-speech.

Visuals2Go

• Visuals2Go is an ALL-IN-ONE Educational app created to support people with communication and learning difficulties.

Verbal Me

• An easy-to-use AAC and choice board app was suggested and edited by special needs teachers and parents to help nonverbal kids participate in class and at home. Users tap a button and the device speaks the button text aloud in either a boy’s or girl’s voice. Screen choices include yes/no, alphabet, numbers, interactive speaking clock, skip counting, opposites, world map, US coins, bullying, getting dressed, using the bathroom, seasons, emotions, BINGO, body parts, life cycle of a butterfly, custom screens with editable text and pictures.

Podcast on AAC & SDM: https://goodthingsinlife.org/031/.

Congratulations, you made it to Step 4! Now let’s put what you’ve learned into action. Here is one last worksheet that you can fill out on your own or fill out with a supporter. This open-ended worksheet will help you strengthen your Decision Making skills.

What’s your next move? Worksheet.

We are always learning as we go through life. Sometimes we all make mistakes, but as long as we can learn from them and move forward then everything will work out!

So, as you continue your Decision Making skills, remember:

Everyone has the right to self-determination.

It’s okay to make mistakes.

You are not alone – your team, community, and friends can help if things get hard.

The more decisions you make, the easier this process will get and the more confident you will become.

You’ve got this! Check out these decision makers’ journeys:

Jenny Hatch: A woman with Down Syndrome who was placed under an unneeded guardianship, fought for her freedom to live an independent life – and won.

Zach Anner: A young man with Cerebral Palsy who went beyond the expectations of those around him to become a comedian, writer, and producer.

Judy Heumann: An international leader in the disability rights movement.