Function

Is one of the six F words we use when we think about the whole person with a disability.

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."

No person is just a disability or health condition. Each of us is a whole person.

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

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

Let's think more about how we make decisions.

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

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

People with IDD have the right to speak or act for themselves.

People with IDD must hold the power to make their own decisions about their lives.

Why does it matter?

People First in Scotland made an easy read book about why decision-making matters.

They talked to 120 persons who want to speak for themselves.

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 only happen if all other support was tried and did not work.

The American Association on IDD speaks out about this right.

Why does it matter? Easy Read Summary

AAIDD Decision Making Supports & Guardianship

Learn to be good at decision making.

Make a decision in 5 steps.

Tap to flip the cards.

cartoon female thinking about different choices

Explore a choice you want to make.

What does the decision mean to you?

Involve the right people.

A good support person is:

a. Trusted

b. Honest

c. Does not make the choice without you

d. Believes in you!

cartoon image of a person weighing her options

Think about the options and their effects.

What options do you have?

What would be the effect of each option?

What would be a good effect? And what would be a bad effect?

cartoon image of a person taking action towards a target

Make the decision real.

Make your decision.

Put your plan into action.

Reflect on what happened.

Look back on your decision.

Think about how it went.

What did you learn?

What could you do next time?

Make Decisions Real

6 videos are from Inclusion Australia.

Make Decisions Real Videos

Make Decisions Real Workbook

Download the "Make Decisions Real" workbook.

Make Decisions Real Workbook

Build skills over time.

Think Plan Do is a website with videos and worksheets. It is from the California Department of Developmental Services.

Think about what is important and why.
Plan steps to reach your goal.
Do your plan.

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

female holding a question mark on a piece of paper in front of her face

Others

Who else can you ask?

Conversation Cards

Conversation cards can help you work on your decisions.

They are from the South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability.

Conversation Cards Website

Action Cards

Action cards offer ways to support making decisions.

Action Cards

Decision Cards

Decision Stories cards have stories to practice.

Decision Stories Cards

Rights Cards

Rights Cards help you think about all your rights.

Rights Cards

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 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.

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?

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

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

Going to work

Do you go to work?

Do you enjoy it and get it done?

Do you get the help you need?

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

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

Grocery Cashier Game

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

Grocery Cashier Game

My Super Tiny Market Game

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

My Super Tiny Market Game

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

Light, Camera Action Game

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

Light, Camera, Action Game

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

Learn Kitchen Safety Game

Kiki can show you some safety tips in the kitchen.

Learn Kitchen Safety Game

Function

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

Why does it matter?

Learn to be good at decision making.

Make Decisions Real

Make Decisions Real Workbook

Build skills over time.

Everyone needs help making some decisions.

Peers

Family

Direct Service Providers

Others

Conversation Cards

Action Cards

Decision Cards

Rights Cards

There are levels of support for decision making.

Decision Making Supporter

Power of Attorney

Health Care Representative

Guardian

Your work of the day may be:

Going to school

How will you pick what you will do?

Do you want to go to college?

Going to work

Have you learned about Voc Rehab?

Ask about help from VR in high school

Grocery Cashier Game

My Super Tiny Market Game

Being part of your Community

Light, Camera Action Game

Doing other daily activities

Learn Kitchen Safety Game

Extra Help

Caregiver Tip: Promote Self Determination and Autonomy

Caregiver Tip: Make a summary of a Neuropsychology/Psychoeducational Evaluation or Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) Report

Caregiver Tip: Make a summary of an Individual Education Plan (IEP)