Definition
Supported decision-making is an approach in which a person keeps their legal right to make their own choices while trusted people help them understand options and communicate decisions. It is often discussed as a less restrictive alternative to guardianship, honoring a person's autonomy while providing the support they want.
Why It Matters
As autistic young people approach adulthood, families weigh how to support decisions without stripping away rights. Supported decision-making centers the autistic person's voice and preferences, treating them as the author of their own life with help where they choose.
Common Misconception
Needing support with some decisions does not mean a person cannot decide for themselves. Guardianship is not the only or automatic path, and supported decision-making preserves autonomy that full guardianship can remove.