Self-Determination for People with Developmental Disabilities and Autism

Self-determination has been identified with people with disabilities only since 1988. This article traces the history of the civil rights, disability rights, and self-advocacy movements. What began as a small federal initiative is presently a national effort in health care and other disability service systems and embraces ideas such as self-direction and consumer control. The road to self-determination has been different for three distinct populations: people with physical disabilities, people with cognitive disabilities, and people with Asperger syndrome and other autistic conditions. However, they all are striving to control their own lives and gain respect in their communities. Future self-determination efforts must further leadership skills and accentuate the positive values of having a disability.