How do we do this?
The process of supported decision making, with a focus on people
who communicate with their face, movements and sounds.

Using the process to support people with complex communication access needs

The supported decision making process with people who have complex communication support needs.

Alan’s Story

Alan’s supporters learnt that having visual information and time helped him with making decisions.

Elements of a supported decision making process – What is the decision?

This is the first of eight short videos in a series which describes each element in a supported decision making model

Who are the right people to assist? Where is the right place?

This is the second of eight short videos in a series which describes each element in a supported decision making model

What is the right way to talk about the decision?

This is the third of eight short videos in a series which describes each element in a supported decision making model

What is the right information to give a decision maker?

This is the fourth of eight short videos in a series which describes each element in a supported decision making model.

How can we assist the person to weight it all up?

This is the fifth of eight short videos in a series which describes each element in a supported decision making model

How do we hear the person’s decision?

This is the sixth of eight short videos in a series which describes each element in a supported decision making model

How do we support the person to act on their decision?

This is the seventh of eight short videos in a series which describes each element in a supported decision making model

Reflect on the decision. Is further action required?

This is the last of eight short videos in a series which describes each element in a supported decision making model

Chris’s Story

Hear how Chris was supported to work through the elements of a supported decision making model to make a significant decision.

Colton’s Story Easy Read

In this Easy Read series, the elements of decision support are made clear as Colton works through his decision to move into a home of his own. You can also watch this story as a series of animations.

Colton’s Story Chapter 1

Tell people what you want. Your supporters might need help to learn how you communicate.  In this animation series, the elements of decision support are made clear as Colton works through his decision to move into a home of his own. You can also read this story in an Easy Read format.

Colton’s Story Chapter 2

Get the right people to help

Colton’s Story Chapter 3

Get Information the right way

Colton’s Story Chapter 4

Try things out

Colton’s Story Chapter 5

Think about what might happen – good things and bad things

Colton’s Story Chapter 6

Let people know your decision.

Colton’s Story Chapter 7

Act and reflect on your decision. You can change your mind.

STOG source document

We all need help and support in different ways, the STOG approach and process can be very helpful for some people when making decisions.  This resource has been adapted from ‘A Guide to Training in Decision-Making for People with Developmental Disabilities’, Horrigan Cole Enterprises.

Recording Supported Decision Making

Recording Supported Decision Making First Nations

Supported Decision Making Resource Book

Supported Decision Making Plain Language

Supported Decision Making Easy Read

Supporting Decisions

Learn about the principles which underpin good support for decision making.

Good Assistance

Good support is all about getting to know a person.  Giving people support in a way that is right for them can only be done if you work alongside the person and listen to what’s important to them.

Understanding a person’s communication

The importance of understanding a person’s communication in order to support their decision making.

Communication Passport

A communication passport gives information about a person, their likes, dislikes and things you can do to understand their communication.

Pathways (NDIS) for building decision making capability

This resource provides information and tips for strengthening a goal to build decision making capability in a person’s NDIS plan.

Tips for building a group of supporters

A resource of tips suggested by Shelley Nessman for building a group of supporters.

Knowing the person and planning as an element for building decision making capability

Leanne speaks about one of the elements of support which builds decision making capability – Genuine person centred planning.