AN AFFILIATE OF THE LIFE SPAN INSTITUTE & THE DEPT. OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

Beach Center on Disability

Self-Determination

RELATED RESOURCES


What It Is

Self-Determination refers to the process of being in charge of one's own life to the degree than a person and that person's family believe is important. Self-Determination involves the capacity, the needed supports, and the opportunity provided for making choices and decisions. These choices and decisions may be related to where a person lives, whether the person has a job, and how the person spends leisure time.

 

The Arc’s Self-Determination Scale (SDS) procedural guidelines

The Procedural Guidelines for The Arc’s Self-Determination Scale provides administration and scoring information for this 72-item assessment of self-determination for adolescents with disabilities.

The Arc's Self-Determination Scale (adolescent version)

The Arc’s Self-Determination Scale is a 72-item assessment for adolescents with cognitive disabilities.