How Self-Advocates Define “Who’s in Control” of Community Services

By Autistic Self Advocacy Network | September 18, 2021

The big question: are staff controlling people who get services?
Staff can “take over” control of someone’s services, even if on paper, the person controls their own services.
Our focus group was clear that having a person-centered plan or a self-directed waiver is not enough to keep staff from taking control. Both are good things! But sometimes support staff try to take control of someone’s life anyway.
The focus group talked about this and came up with 6 themes (important parts of being in control) and 12 questions. Researchers can use these themes and questions to make quality measures.