Supported decision-making

Supported decision-making is less restrictive than interdiction and tutorship. If your child has the capacity to make decisions with help, look into this option before the more restrictive ones.

Sometimes people with disabilities need people they trust to help answer their questions and go over the different options before making a decision. Because they can make decisions with this help, they don't need someone who is appointed to make their decisions for them.

These people are called "supporters" and can include anyone your child trusts, including: family members, co-workers, friends, teachers, doctors, and other professionals.

The goal of supported decision-making is for these supporters to provide information to the person with disabilities while respecting and honoring that person's choices.

How does it work? 

1. Have your family member identify areas where they need help making decisions. These may include:

2. Have them chose their supporters.

3. Fill out a Supported Decision Making Agreement

• The agreement lists which decisions the supporter can help with, and what information they can access

• It must be signed by your family member, their supporters and 2 witnesses

Click the link below to download a sample Agreement. (It will open in a new tab or appear at the bottom corner of your screen.)

Sources: ABA, Center for Public Representation, The Arc