Abstract
Supported decision-making approaches in health care recognize the authority of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to decide on certain treatment options with the help of close and trusted persons. This chapter (a) elaborates on supported decision making in health care, (b) discusses some possible philosophical and ethical underpinnings of this approach, (c) concludes that a supported decision-making approach affirms the inherent dignity of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and can enable them to make and authorize healthcare decisions in ways that are legally recognized, and (d) gives examples of and helpful tools for implementing supported decision making in healthcare practices. Further inquiry is needed, however, regarding specific barriers to and facilitators of these practices.
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Sullivan, W.F., Heng, J., Bach, M. (2021). Promoting Decision Making Capabilities in the Healthcare of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Ethics and Practice. In: Khemka, I., Hickson, L. (eds) Decision Making by Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Positive Psychology and Disability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74675-9_3
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