Picking adults to help with decisions takes some planning. You will want to choose someone you trust. You will also want someone you can talk openly with about difficult things going on in your life.

You need to choose a person who listens to what you want, who may give you suggestions, but will allow you to direct the final decision.

This person should also be someone who supports your decision making and will make sure you understand options and also what results could come from your decisions.

That person will know what you do well and be encouraging.

Someone might not be a good choice if he or she:

• Is unwilling to listen to what you want or speaks to you in a way you don’t understand;
  
• Talks over you or dismisses all of your ideas;
  
• Talks about you to others without your permission; or
  
• Won’t answer your questions.
  

Sometimes people around you may not see that you can make decisions. They may automatically make decisions for you, without asking what you want.

Remind the people close to you that even though they have a lot of experience and know you well, you are your own expert.

You know yourself, and you want input into decisions made about your life.