Resource Link

https://supporteddecisions.org/getting-started-with-supported-decision-making/sdm-and-education/

Resource Description

Introduction: This webpage from the Center for Public Representation is about supported decision-making in schools. The page talks about how schools often push parents to get guardianship of their adult children with disabilities. It explains why this is a problem and what can be done to fix it.

Resource Summary

Content Summary: Many schools tell parents to get guardianship when their child with a disability turns 18. Guardianship means the parent gets legal power to make choices for their adult child. Schools often suggest this without looking at other options that might work better. The document calls this the "school-to-guardianship pipeline." This happens because the move from high school to adult life is hard. Parents get lots of info all at once. They often feel stressed and rushed. Schools might not tell them about other ways to help their child make choices. The Center wants to change this pattern. They think school staff should know as much about supported decision-making as they do about guardianship. Supported decision-making lets people with disabilities make their own choices with help from others. The Center believes parents and kids should learn about both options, not just guardianship. They want young people to try supported decision-making before anyone thinks about guardianship. This would help show if the person can make choices with support instead of needing a guardian. The Center thinks guardianship should not be the first choice for every student who turns 18. There are two main times when schools can talk about other options besides guardianship. One is during transition planning, when the school helps plan for life after high school. The other is during IEP meetings, where teachers and parents plan the student's education. The Center offers training to help stop the rush to guardianship. They want to teach school staff and families about all their options. They ask people to contact them if they want training at their school. Their goal is to make sure everyone knows about supported decision-making. This way, young people with disabilities can have more control over their own lives when they become adults.