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Supported Decision Making & Guardianship

An individual is legally considered an adult at the age of 18. This is called the age of majority. Before this happens, an individual and their family/care partner will need to decide on how to support the young adult’s self-determination. Supported decision-making refers to the many ways we all get assistance making decisions that affect our lives. Full or limited guardianship is appropriate when the young adult is unable to understand or make their own decision.

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Acronym Key: IEP = Supported Decision Making | IEP = Individualized Education Program

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Build your Action Plan by selecting relevant items below to add goals for yourself or someone you support. Click “Add to Action Plan” to save items. To remove an item, click “Remove from Action Plan.” To see your Action Plan, click on the “View My Action Plan” button to the right or near the bottom of the page.

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Browse all recommended action items below or use these filters to narrow down results by category or age.

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13 results found

Supported Decision Making
Understand what Supported Decision Making is and how to use it.

Approximate age: 10-13

Who can help: Individual and family

Supported Decision Making
Develop and practice decision-making skills.

Approximate age: 10-13

Who can help: Individual and family

Supported Decision Making
Continually evaluate decision-making skills and capacity.

Approximate age: 12

Who can help: Individual and family

Supported Decision Making
Set developmentally-appropriate goals to develop decision-making skills through SDM.

Approximate age: All ages

Who can help: Individual and family

Supported Decision Making
Contact Disability Rights NC if interested if advocacy assistance is needed related to guardianship or restoration of a person’s guardianship.

Approximate age: 18 and up

Who can help: Disability Rights NC

IEP Process
Support the student in having a say in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals by practicing how to express their needs, interests, and preferences.

Approximate age: As early as possible and ongoing

Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, and family

IEP Process
If the student is not already participating, begin including them in their IEP meeting to build self-advocacy and future-planning skills.

Approximate age: As early as possible

Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, and family

IEP Process
At least one year before the student turns 18, discuss the transfer of educational decision-making rights with the student and family. The family should understand that rights will transfer to the student at age 18 and review options for continued support, including guardianship and alternatives.

Approximate age: 17

Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, and family

Preparing to turn 18
Understand what age of majority means and the legal changes that happen when the student turns 18, including how decision-making may change for the student and family/care partner.

Approximate age: 12

Who can help: Individual and family, special needs attorney

Preparing to turn 18
Support the person in learning to share personal information, such as their address, date of birth, and phone number, and how to keep this information safe.

Approximate age: 12 and ongoing

Who can help: Individual and family

Preparing to turn 18
If determined appropriate, set up power of attorney and healthcare power of attorney to take effect when the person turns 18

Approximate age: 17

Who can help: Individual and family, special needs attorney

Preparing to turn 18
Consider whether the person might need a limited guardianship, a guardian to help with personal decisions, a guardian to manage money/property, or some combination of these. Even if guardianship is needed, supported decision-making should still be used whenever possible so the person stays involved in decisions about their own life.

Approximate age: 17

Who can help: Individual and family, special needs attorney

Preparing to turn 18
If the person is not their own guardian, ensure that designated guardianship wishes are relayed in the parents’ will and letter of intent.

Approximate age: 18 and up

Who can help: Individual and family, special needs attorney

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Disclaimer: These action plans are for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be comprehensive, and should not be taken as legal advice. Services and programs mentioned may vary by county. Please consult with professionals with expertise in this topic area for guidance specific to you, your family or student/client’s situation. The “approximate age” listed with each item is a general recommendation for when to get started on an action item; however, everyone has a different timeline and for many of the items, it’s never too late to take action! Have a suggested correction or addition to this checklist? Email worktogethernc@med.unc.edu.

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