ABA decision making support can help a person understand accessible options, compare practical consequences, choose, ask for help, and revise a choice. The opportunities should be real, with outcomes the environment can honor. Begin with decisions the person wants more control over, preserve AAC and processing time, and measure information access and partner follow-through alongside the selected response.
Choose meaningful decisions
Examples include clothing, meals, schedule order, leisure, visitors, transportation, communication partners, spending, or which support to use. Avoid offering options that adults have already decided or cannot provide.
Make information accessible
Show the options, timing, cost, effort, risks, supports, and likely consequences in a usable format. Offer enough processing time and a way to ask questions, defer, choose none, or request a trusted supporter.
Let choices be revised
Everyday decisions can change with new information or preference. State any real deadline or irreversible step. Avoid calling a revised choice inconsistency or using it as a reason to remove future options.
Use clinical and communication safeguards
The Ethics Code addresses client involvement, understandable communication, consent and assent when applicable, risk, and evaluation. ASHA supports AAC access. The CASP public summary supports individualized goals.
A practical example
Talia has six weekend decisions with accessible option cards. Information is complete for 5/6; Talia chooses in 5/5 ready opportunities, and adults follow through in 4/5. Report information readiness, choice, and follow-through separately.
Questions families can use
Are the options real? Can the person choose none or ask for time? Is information accessible? Who may support without deciding? Can the choice change? Does the environment deliver the selected outcome?
Sources
Finni resources
