Page 24 - FamilyGuidetoTransitionServices-English

Principles of Supported Decision-Making

 All individuals of legal age are persons before the law and have a
right to self-determination and respect for their autonomy,
irrespective of disability.
 All adults are entitled to the presumption of capacity and identity,
irrespective of disability, and to the decision-making supports
necessary to exercise capacity and reveal identity.

 Decisions made interdependently with family, friends, and trusted
others chosen by the individual will be recognized and legally
validated.
 All individuals have a will, and this will is capable of being
interpreted and forming the basis for competent decision-making
and identity.
 Individuals are entitled to the supports and services necessary for full
participation and equality. The provision of such supports will lessen
the need for legal intervention in decision-making.
 Third party interests and liability concerns do not provide a valid
justification for removing a person's decision-making rights.

Shared decision-making is one of the patient- and family-centered.
key concepts in healthcare. When To protect the civil rights and dignity
patients and their families partner of youth and young adults with
with health providers, they get disabilities and special healthcare
better outcomes. needs, it is critical that parents use
One of the six core outcomes the supported decision-making as an
Maternal/Child Health Bureau alternative to guardianship for their
highlights is the importance of young adults with special needs.
shared decision-making: “Families of Even if parents decide that
children and youth with special guardianship is the only alternative
healthcare needs partner in decision- that will work for their family, it is
making at all levels and are satisfied important that they minimize the
with the services they receive.” extent of their guardianship and use
One of the main ideas behind options such as limited guardianship
another core outcome for children so that their young adult with special
with special needs—the medical needs can make as many of their
home—is that care needs to be own decisions as possible.
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