Imagine turning 18 and suddenly being responsible for every major life decision.

Yikes.

That includes medical, financial, personal.

Without guidance, for many young adults with developmental disabilities,

these transitions can be overwhelming.

How can clinicians and families provide the right level of support while respecting autonomy,

or at least encouraging it?

That's what we're exploring today.

Welcome to another special episode of the Carlath Psychiatry Podcast.

I'm Dr. Josh Fader, the editor-in-chief of the Carlis Child Psychiatry Report and co-author

of the second edition of the Child Medication Fact Book for Psychiatric Practice and our other

book prescribing psychotrophics.

And I'm Mara Government, a licensed clinical social worker in Southern California with a private

practice and an avid reader of the Carlatte Psychiatry Reports.

Today, we're discussing how clinicians can support adults with developmental disabilities as they transition into independent

decision-making. This is a really necessary topic, especially as more young adults with developmental

disabilities reach legal adulthood and need guidance on decision-making. Many of our patients have challenges in making complex decisions, whether medical, financial,

or personal, some need full guardianship, while others benefit from limited support.

It's a spectrum.

And because every patient is different, we need to assess their capacity on a case-by-case basis.

One of the first things we look at is whether they can understand and weigh the risks and

benefits of a decision, communicate their choice, and appreciate the consequences.

...