Choice making represents the central element of self-determination, and efforts are being made across all service programs to promote choice making for consumers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Although choice making appears to be a relatively simple response for a consumer to perform (selecting one stimulus over another), it is a complex phenomenon involving several different components. This paper provides a selected review of the choice-making research literature, relative to employment service delivery. The paper examines the relationship of choice making to self-determination, how choice making can promote engagement and motivation for employees, and what barriers may exist that thwart meaningful choice making. Recommendations to support personnel and practitioners on practices to promote effective choice making are provided.
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