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Self-Determination refers to the process of being in charge of one’s own life to the degree that an individual and that individual’s family unit believe is important. Self-Determination involves the capacity, the needed supports, and the opportunity provided for making choices and decisions that are individually determined to the greatest degree possible. The choices and decisions may be related to where we live, have a job, or spending leisure time, and may be made individually, or within a family or service-provision system.
Wehmeyer (1992, 1996) defines Self-Determination as “acting as the primary causal agent in one’s life and making choices and decisions regarding one’s quality of life free from undue external influence or interference.” A causal agent is someone who makes or causes things to happen in his or her life. This means that a person with or without disabilities should be encouraged to make choices that are important to them and that help these individuals to have a better life. It does not necessarily mean total and complete independence in any of these activities. But being self-determined does mean that when choices are made, the person making the choices must also consider the consequences and results of their actions.
When a person exhibits Self-Determination, their actions will reflect four essential characteristics: autonomous behavior – related to making choices and decisions, as needed, self-regulated behavior – having some personal control over actions, acting in a psychologically empowered manner – feeling capable and acting that way, and being self-realizing by understanding the effects of their own actions.
The component elements of self-determined behavior include: choice making, decision making, problem solving, goal setting and attainment, self-evaluation, self-instruction, positive attributions of efficacy, self-awareness, self-knowledge, and self-advocacy. It is possible for someone to exhibit behavior that is self-determined in one area of their life, and to need a great deal of help and support to manage a different life circumstance.
Self-Determination is not only a concept used to describe people with mild disabilities. Individuals with severe multiple disabilities can be self-determined. Of course, a person with severe disabilities may not be as independent as someone without these disabilities, but someone who has significant disabilities can still make clear, essential choices. For example, a person who needs a personal care attendant to assist with basic bodily functions can make some choice about the selection of their care attendant. Even though, a person with significant disabilities cannot make every choice or decision about what they do, there are still some choices that can and should be made by that person. Complete independence is not necessarily part of being self-determined. Having opportunities and supports to make decisions, set goals, and achieve outcomes as independently as possible are important parts of supporting Self-Determination for people with significant disabilities.
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