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Function

Refers to what people do, what their role or job is.

Function means living your own life fully. It is doing the things you want to do.

Function is not about "HOW" you do a job, but that you do your best to "GET IT DONE."

We might not each do things the same way as everyone else. We might not do everything perfectly.

Children bloom when they play and learn at school.

Adults thrive in working and building their own lives.

 

Do you want to make some decisions for yourself? YES NO
Do you know how to take steps to make a good decision? YES NO
Do you know who to ask to help you with decisions? YES NO
Do you go to school or work or both? YES NO
Do you take part in your community? YES NO
Do you do chores in your home? YES NO

If you answered yes to all the questions, keep up the good work.

If you answered no or want to learn more, check out this page.

two women, one with an intellectual disability, having a discussion looking at a computer

Making Decisions - Do you speak for yourself? Who helps you?

You must make some choices to make the life you want. You have to learn to Think, Plan and Do.

People with IDD have the right to speak or act for themselves. Sometimes they need help to speak up.

People with IDD must hold power to make decisions about their lives. Sometimes they need support to make choices.

Let's think more about how we make decisions.

Why does decision-making matter?

People First in Scotland made an easy read book about this.

They talked to 120 persons with IDD.

One person said "I don't get other people to decide for me. I've got a voice."

Some also said that making decisions can be hard. They like to get help from others they trust.

They want to learn about options. They want to think about effects after a decision.

They said that guardianship should not happen unless all other supports were tried and did not work.

Scotland People First -Easy Read

Autonomy, Decision Making Supports and Guardianship

Plain Language from ARC and AAIDD

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Make Decisions Real

Inclusion Australia has 6 videos about decision making.

  • Introduction
  1. Explore the decision
  2. Involve the right people
  3. Think about options and consequences
  4. Make the decision real
  5. Reflect on what happened
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Videos

6 videos from Inclusion Australia.

Videos Click here to go to another website.
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Activity Booklet

Download the "Make Decisions Real" workbook.

Activity booklet Click here for a form to use
Think plan do

Build skills over time.

Think Plan Do website is from the California Department of Developmental Services. They have guides and videos. 

Here are some examples of worksheets:

  1. Plan and make decisions
    • Make a decision
    • Organize and plan
    • Find a mentor
  2. Take care of yourself
    • Manage my money
  3. Listen and speak
    • Listen and ask questions
    • Accept advice
  4. Make goals happen
    • Find a job
    • Build a career
    • Have my own business

Click on the blue button to go to the website.

Think Plan Do Website

Everyone needs help making some decisions.

Some of us need help with money choices. Others need help with health choices.

We ask others we trust to help us. Who can you ask for help?

Tap to flip the cards.

3 female friends with intellectual disabilities sitting on a couch smiling for the camera

Peers

3 brothers, 1 with an intellectual disability, standing on a red carpet,

Family

African American female doctor in white coat with stethoscope around neck

Direct Service Providers

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Others

Who else can you ask?

Help!

Do you need help to talk with your supporters?

Conversation cards are from the South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability.

Conversation Cards Website
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Feelings Cards

Feelings cards help you say how you feel.

Feelings Cards Click here to go to another website.
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Action Cards

Action cards help you tell people around you what actions to take.

Action Cards Click here to go to another website.
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Decision Stories

Decision Stories let you practice ideas using other stories for what to do next.

Decision Stories Cards Click here to go to another website.
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Rights Cards

Rights Cards help you tell others about your rights.

Rights Cards Click here to go to another website.

There are levels of support for decision making.

The ARC of Indiana has videos and handouts about guardianship and alternative decision making support.

https://www.arcind.org/future-planning/guardianship/

Decision Making Supporter

A decision making supporter is a trusted person you ask to help you with decisions. 

Here is one type of form: 

Supported Decision Making Form

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a trusted person you ask to make decisions for you.

Health Care Representative

A Health Care Representative is a trusted person you pick to make health decisions for you.

Here is one type of form: 

Advanced Directive/Health Care Representative form

Guardian

A Guardian is appointed by a judge. The judge decides that you cannot make your own legal decisions. The judge decides who makes decisions for you.

Here is a sample form from Lawrence County Indiana to help think about a person's abilities: 

Guardianship Form

Your work of the day may be:

Going to school

Do you go to school?

Do you enjoy it and get it done?

Do you get the help you need?

The 12+ transition focuses on planning for after grade 12.

What are your goals for after school?

Have you checked out your school's career center?

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How will you pick what you will do?

Careeronestop.org is a website from the US department of Labor.

They have videos to help you explore.

Career Videos Click here to go to another website
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Do you want to go to college?

Think College is a website at the University of Massachusetts.

They have lots of info on college for students with intellectual disabilities.

Think College Website Click here to go to another website

Going to work

Do you go to work?

Do you enjoy it and get it done?

Do you get the help you need?

Quiz to find the right job
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Have you learned about Voc Rehab?

They are also called VR or vocational rehabilitation.

They help you build skills and find the job you want.

Here is an intro video from Indiana VR.

Intro Video Click here to watch a video.
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Ask about help from VR in high school

This is called pre-ETS.

You can find your local office in Indiana here:

Local office list Click here to go to another website.
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Grocery Cashier Game

Try adding on a calculator. Then count out the right change.

Grocery Cashier Game Click on this game to see if it is for you.
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My Super Tiny Market Game

Try using a scanner to ring up food. Then give the right change.

My Super Tiny Market Game Click on this game to see if it is for you.

Being part of your Community

Do you take part in your community?

Do you enjoy it and get it done?

Do you get the help you need?

Voting is another way to be part of your community.

Here is plain language info on voting from an ARC chapter in Colorado

Voter Guide
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Light, Camera Action Game

Learn how to use lights and cameras to make a movie.

Light, Camera, Action Game Click on this game to see if it is for you.

Doing other daily activities

Do you keep your own home?

Do you enjoy it and get it done?

Do you get the help you need?

Here is the Parent of Teenagers Survival Checklist.

It is a list from the Arkansas Transition services.

You can use it to pick new skills that you might want to practice.

Checklist
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Learn Kitchen Safety Game

Kiki can show you some safety tips in the kitchen.

Learn Kitchen Safety Game Click on this game to see if it is for you.