What Is Making a Choice?
Making a choice means picking the things you like best. Making a choice means deciding for yourself what your life will be like.
You Make Choices Every Day, Like:
- Should I stay in bed for 10 more minutes?
- What clothes should I wear?
- What should I eat?
- Should I drink coffee or tea?
- What should I watch on TV?
Some Choices Are Bigger, Like:
- What job do I want?
- Where do I want to live?
- How should I spend my money?
- Should I get married?
- What will I do when I get older?
Choice Is Your Right!
In California, there is a law that says you have the right to vote, the right to say whatever you want to say, and the right to make your own choices.
People with Developmental Disabilities Say This About Choice:
Sometimes You May Choose the Wrong Thing.
It’s not always easy to know what you will like. You may choose something new to eat that does not taste good. You may choose to see a movie and not like it. You may choose to live with someone and things do not go well.
Making the Wrong Choice Can Be Okay.
You can learn from a wrong choice. You can learn more about what you like. You can make a better choice next time.
Sometimes, Your Choices Can Hurt You.
A risk is the chance something bad might happen. Some choices have lots of risk. If you choose not to look both ways when you cross the street, you might get hit by a car. If you choose to smoke, you might get sick.
Know the Risks Before You Make a Choice!
When you take a shower, you could slip and hit your head. If you eat a piece of hard candy, you might break a tooth. If you choose to pet a dog, it could bite you.
If You Are Not Sure About a Choice:
Ask yourself or someone else about your choice:
- Could it hurt me or someone else?
- Can I do something to keep everyone safe?
- What is the best thing that can happen?
Think about it and then decide what to do. If you are still not sure, you do not have to make the choice at all.
Making Choices Makes You Stronger.
Making choices helps you to know what you want. When you make your own choices, other people don’t make them for you.
More Information About Making Choices:
You can find lots of things at the Consumer Corner. Making My Own Choices helps people choose things that are important to them in their life. Community Conversations with People with Developmental Disabilities is about what choices people make in their life and what choices they would like to make.
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