"Guardianship and Alternatives for Decision-Making Support"

 

For a youth or young adult who has intellectual disabilities, his or her health care transition often raises questions for health care providers and families about guardianship. Reaching the age of majority (18 years, in most states and jurisdictions) means, under state law, an individual is no longer a "minor." As such, the person has the right and responsibility to make certain legal choices that adults make. For some young adults with intellectual disabilities, this may be an exciting opportunity for increased independence. However, there may also be family concerns about how to best support that person's self-determination in making life decisions such as for health care or in financial management. This 2012 brief from Got Transition? National Health Care Transition National Center provides a broad outline of decision-making support options, both informal and legal, that may assist a young adult with an intellectual disability.  http://www.gottransition.org/UploadedFiles/Files/FA_GTFinalCompToSend.pdf