ERIC Number: EJ804642
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Sep
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1547-0350
EISSN: N/A
Self-Determination in Relation to Having or Not Having a Legal Guardian: Case Studies of Two School-Aged Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Millar, Dorothy Squatrito
Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, v43 n3 p279-293 Sep 2008
IDEA mandates that all rights accorded to parents transfer to students when they reach the age of majority, unless their competence is questioned. Using case studies, this research examined the concern that when competence is challenged, guardian appointments may occur, thus negatively impacting the self-determination of school-aged young adults who have developmental disabilities. The assumption that a young adult who had a full legal guardian would exhibit fewer, if any, self-determination skills in comparisons to a peer who did not have a legal guardian was investigated. Findings include (a) values, beliefs, and knowledge impact guardian roles, and (b) more research is needed to determine the impact IDEA age of majority and transfer of rights mandates are having on families as well as school, law, and agency service providers' interpretations and actions.
Descriptors: Developmental Disabilities, Young Adults, Public Policy, Program Effectiveness, Case Studies, Student Rights, Self Determination, Federal Legislation, Parent Role, Beliefs, Laws, Public Agencies, Research Needs
Division on Developmental Disabilities, Council for Exceptional Children. DDD, P.O. Box 3512, Fayetteville, AR 72702. Tel: 479-575-3326; Fax: 479-575-6676; Web site: http://www.dddcec.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A