Making Choices is Hard!

Action Plans > Making Choices is Hard!

To create a custom action plan, select the items below that are relevant to you or someone you support. To get to the next page of the form, select previous or next at the bottom of the page. The last page of the form will allow you to add additional action plan items if needed.

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1Self Determination / Self-Advocacy

2Supported Decision Making

3Additional Items

Self Determination and Self Advocacy

Self-determination is the ability to make decisions about one’s quality of life without undue interference or influence from others. Self advocacy is the ability to communicate one’s needs and preferences.

Acronym Key: IEP = Individualized Transition Program

Growing as a self-advocate

Practice communication of one’s interests, preferences, and needs.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Family, school/IEP Team, adult service providers

Practice decision making skills. Choices should be offered & supported as often as possible– start with small choices matter like what one wears, eats, does for fun, who one hangs out with.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, school/IEP Team, adult service providers

Identify needed adult services, and if appropriate, the individual can start learning how to direct and manage these services.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, family, school/IEP Team, adult service providers

Resources: Medicaid – Self-Directed Services The Arc NC- Self-Directed Services

Support the individual’s participation in IEP Meetings. Prepare the individual with what to expect and collaboratively brainstorm ideas in advance of the meeting.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, family, school/IEP Team

Resources: 10 Ways to Involve Young Adults in their IEP Meetings

Developing decision making skills

Explore Work Together NC’s leadership & advocacy program library

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, family, school/IEP Team

Resources: Advocacy Services

Learn about the disability rights movement and key figures

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, school/IEP Team

Resources: Crip camp: A Disability Revolution

Learn about supported decision-making and other resources for supporting choice and self-determination

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, family, school/IEP Team, adult service providers

Resources: Rethinking Guardianship NC

Learn about the differences in the laws regarding disability rights for young people with disabilities from high school to adulthood.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, school/IEP Team

Resources: Making the Transition from High School to College for Students with Disabilities

Learn and practice how to explain one’s disability and/or the accommodations or supports they need in work, postsecondary education, and community settings

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, school/IEP Team, adult service providers

Develop a person centered plan, including the individual’s vision and goals for adulthood

Approximate Age: Upon exiting high school and ongoing updates | Who can help: Individual, inclusive postsecondary education program (if applicable), adult service providers

Resources: Project 10 – Transition Education Network

Supported Decision-Making and Alternatives to Guardianship

An individual is legally considered an adult at the age of 18. This is called 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.

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

Supported Decision Making

Understand what supported decision-making (SDM) includes and how to use it.

Approximate Age: 12 | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: Supporting Choice And Self-Determination Videos, Supported Decision-Making

Develop and practice decision-making skills.

Approximate Age: 12 | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: Supporting Choice And Self-Determination Videos

Continually evaluate decision-making skills and capacity.

Approximate Age: 12 | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: MO Guardianship Materials

Set developmentally-appropriate goals to develop decision-making skills through supported decision-making (SDM).

Approximate Age: 12 | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: Supported Decision-Making

IEP Process

Prepare student to participate in the IEP transition process of assessing their needs, preferences, and interests.

Approximate Age: 14 | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP team, and family

If a student is not participating already, they should begin to participate in the IEP meeting. This is an important opportunity for the student to practice self-determination and learn how to advocate for their own future.

Approximate Age: 14 | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP team, and family

Resources: 4 Ways Students Can Take an Active Role in Their IEP Meetings

The IEP Team will discuss the transfer of rights at least one year prior to the student reaching age 18, age of majority. This is to make sure the student and parents understand that the student’s right to make educational decisions for the IEP will transfer to the student when he or she turns 18. * In most cases, the transfer of rights at age 18 is an appropriate action. In some cases, if the student is unable to understand or make their own decisions, parents may wish to consider full or limited guardianship. Keep in mind there are many alternatives to guardianship. Supported decision-making offers a range of options that give parents an opportunity for continued input into the student’s educational path.

Approximate Age: 17 | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP team, and family

Resources: Rethinking Guardianship

Preparing to turn 18

Understand what legal status and age of majority mean. It is important that all are aware of the legal changes that happen when a person turns 18 and what it means for the individual and the family/care partner regarding decision making.

Approximate Age: 12 | Who can help: Individual and family

Set up power of attorney and healthcare power of attorney to take effect when the individual turns 18.

Approximate Age: 17 | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: General, Financial, Legal And Healthcare Supports

Consider whether a limited guardianship, guardianship of the person and/or guardianship of the estate may be appropriate.*With any of these options, supported-decision making is still an important tool for centering the individual in decisions that pertain to them.

Approximate Age: 17 | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: Healthcare Power of Attorney, Power of Attorney

Support the individual’s development of communication skills for sharing personal information such as mailing address, date of birth, phone number. Address safety precautions regarding protecting this information.

Approximate Age: 12 | Who can help: Individual and family

If the individual is not their own guardian, ensure that designated guardianship wishes are relayed in the parents’ will and letter of intent

Approximate Age: 18 | Who can help: Family

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Disclaimer: This checklist is 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. Have a suggested correction or addition to this checklist? Email worktogethernc@med.unc.edu.