Supported Decision Making (SDM)
Supported decision making (SDM) is one alternative to guardianship. It a tool that allows people with disabilities to make their own decisions and build their own lives with support from a team of people they choose. A person using SDM can select trusted advisors, such as friends, family members, or professionals, to serve as supporters, who agree to help the person with a disability understand, consider, and communicate decisions, giving the person with a disability the tools to make her own, informed, decisions.
Where to Start?
- When Do I Want Support? (ACLU)
- Guardianship Laws in Indiana
- Supported Decision Making in Indiana (Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities)
- Exploring Decision-Making Supports (LifeCourse Tool)
- Top 7 Things to Know About Supported Decision-Making (Indiana Disability Rights Network)
- Supported Decision-Making: Protecting Rights, Ensuring Choices (Jonathan Martinis)
- Making Healthcare Choices: Perspectives of People with Disabilities
- Supported Decision-Making: 5 Reasons to Re-Think Guardianship
- Supported Decision-Making: What Supported Decision-Making is and Why It Matters
- Supported Decision Making, an Alternative to Conservatorships
- What’s Next: A Self-Advocate’s Guided Tour through Transition for Parents and Other Supporters
Sample Supported Decision-Making Agreements:
- ACLU Supported Decision-Making Agreement
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network Supported Decision-Making Agreement
- Nonotuck Resource Associates and Center for Public Representation Supported Decision-Making Agreement
- Authorizations to Share Medical and Educational Records (California-based)
Services of Entitlement
Select a Category:
It may be challenging for families, caregivers, individuals with ASD, and others to navigate support systems and services. In order to best support individuals, families, providers, and communities statewide as they learn to navigate life with ASD or a related disability, HANDS in Autism© together with the NeuroDiagnostic Institute and IIACC partners reached out to organizations and asked directors and professionals to share about the noted service or program they oversee or facilitate in order to support awareness of, access to, advocacy for, and/or navigation within as individuals, families, and teams statewide are connected. Hear what they had to say below.
Category: Advocacy
IN*SOURCE
Special Education Parent Support
Indiana 211
Connecting you with professionals in mental health & addiction, health care, housing assistance, tax assistance, food & clothing, education & employment, and more
Category: Education
The Indiana Education Scholarship Account Program (INESA)
INESA, managed by the state treasurer’s office, will allow eligible parents/guardians to establish an education scholarship account (ESA) that can be used for their child’s education expenses.
Category: evaluation
Indiana Dept. of Education and Indiana IEP Resource Center
Video Series: Simulated Intake for Parent Referral for Preschool Evaluation
Category: Savings
Indiana ABLE
INvestABLE Indiana helps individuals save, while preserving their SSI and Medicaid.
Category: Pre-ETS
Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Employment services program for Indiana students in transition (ages 14-21) and adults with disabilities
The Arc of Indiana
On oversight of delivery of Pre-Employment Transition Services
Category: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Indiana VR Services by The Arc of Indiana
What to expect with VR
Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services
This short video describes the VR process, eligibility, and the services VR can provide if you need some help to learn new skills, find a job, or start a career.
Tips and Tricks for Fun & Safe Halloween
Halloween can certainly be fun for individuals with ASD/DD, as long as you do some preparation for it and address sensory sensitivities. Here are several resources to consider to make your Halloween enjoyable and memorable!
HANDS in Autism®: SENSORY FRIENDLY HALLOWEEN CRAFTS AND GAMES
Autism Speaks: Happy Halloween: Making the holiday fun for everyone
Autism Society of North Carolina: Making Halloween Fun for Individuals with Autism
Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin: Halloween Toolkit
Autism Society: Make Halloween a Better Experience: 7 Tips That Set You Up for Success
Seattle Children’s Hospital: 8 Tips for a Safe Halloween for Your Child With Autism
Share What You Read!
Have you read something educational, inspiring, thought-provoking, or something that touched you in a special way about ASD, neurodiversity, or other topics that could help support individuals on the spectrum, or by authors with ASD or related disabilities? We would love to know and help others discover amazing books! Leave a comment below! If you could add a link to Google Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or other sites, it will help!