Exploratory study of a supported decision-making intervention for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Supported decision-making (SDM) is a legally recognized, person-centered approach that enables people with and without disabilities to make their own decisions with support from others. This study evaluated an 8-week virtual SDM pilot program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities using a pre-post design and introduced a facilitator guide adaptable to multiple settings. Pilot participants showed improvements in setting goals, making and expressing decisions, and seeking support when needed, along with overall gains across various SDM-related indicators. Findings suggest the intervention is feasible across diverse disabilities and support needs, with particularly strong benefits for individuals under guardianship. Future research should test the model with larger, more diverse samples and longer follow-up, as well as expand SDM training for providers, staff, and individuals to support broader model adoption.