top of page
20230716_124306 (1).jpg

The Essential Role of Self-Advocacy in Education for Students with Disabilities

Julie Collison
Smiling woman in a pink top works on a laptop in an office with a blurred whiteboard and papers in the background. Cozy and cheerful mood.
Hi, I'm Julie! Welcome to my blog!

I have over 18 years of experience in special education and related fields. I am a licensed K-12 intervention specialist, certified in moderate to intense interventions, with a transition-to-work endorsement. My passion is transition education, especially in helping transition-age youth and their families prepare for adulthood. I enjoy thinking creatively and tailoring lessons to engage and effectively reach every student.


In this blog, you will find some teaching philosophies, tools, resources, and ideas for teaching self-advocacy. Ingenuity Unlimited thrives on collaboration, so if you have any ideas to share, please leave them in the comments. If you would like help brainstorming ways to implement these concepts in your specific classroom, school, or district, I would love to hear from you.


Together, we can make the world a more inclusive place.


 

Smiling person in red sweater holds a sign reading "SELF-ADVOCATE" against an orange background, conveying positivity and empowerment.

Have you ever considered how understanding yourself can spark amazing changes in your life? It all starts with self-awareness! When students really get to know themselves, they open the door to being more successful, independent, and determined.


Self-advocacy isn't about making excuses; it’s about recognizing where you need help and knowing how to ask for it. This journey of self-discovery is especially crucial for students with disabilities. By prioritizing self-advocacy, we empower them to embrace their unique strengths and challenges and express what they need to thrive. It’s about giving them the confidence to speak up for themselves, whether in school, at home, or out in the world.


Learning to advocate for themselves not only helps them navigate their education but also sets them up for success in their future careers and relationships. As we explore the importance of self-advocacy, we'll see how it paves the way for greater independence and stronger connections with others. After all, when students feel equipped to share their needs and aspirations, they can truly take charge of their educational journey and beyond!


 

Unlocking Growth Through Self-Awareness


Have you ever noticed how understanding yourself can lead to all kinds of positive changes? Empowerment starts with self-awareness. When you truly get to know yourself, it helps you become more successful, independent, and determined. Self-advocacy is not about making excuses, but rather knowing enough about yourself to say, "This is where I struggle, and here is what helps me." Having a solutions-oriented mindset is essential for navigating life's complexities and fostering inclusivity among others.




Five great reasons to prioritize self-awareness


  1. Understand Yourself

    1. When you dive deep into who you are, you start to appreciate every part of yourself. This self-understanding helps you embrace what makes you unique, and that's a beautiful thing.


  2. Know Where You Struggle

    1. It’s important to recognize what’s tough for you. By pinpointing your struggles, you can figure out what strategies or resources can help you succeed.


  3. Know Where You Excel

    1. On the flip side, knowing your strengths is just as crucial. When you celebrate what you’re good at, it makes tackling your challenges feel a lot easier. Your strengths can give you the confidence you need to push through tough times.


  4. Self-Advocacy

    1. Being self-aware helps you advocate for yourself. It’s all about knowing how to express your strengths and what you need from others—be it in school, with friends, or at work. The better you can communicate, the easier it will be to get the support you need.


  5. Self-Determination

    1. Finally, understanding yourself fuels your determination. When you realize that you’ll always be learning about who you are, you feel more motivated to take on new challenges. It’s all about pushing yourself further and aiming higher!


 

Committing to Teaching Self-Advocacy in Education

Teens sit by a rock outside a school, smiling and using tablets. Autumn trees in background, casual and relaxed setting.

By focusing on teaching self-advocacy, we can help students with disabilities become more independent and confident. This important skill sets them up for a brighter future, where they can communicate effectively and build strong relationships in all parts of their lives.


Self-advocacy is a key skill for all students, especially those with disabilities. It helps them recognize and express their unique needs, strengths, and challenges. By supporting self-advocacy, we’re giving students the confidence to ask for the accommodations and help they need to succeed.


Incorporating self-advocacy lessons into schools not only improves current academic experiences but also prepares students for what lies ahead in work and social situations. When students learn to advocate for themselves, they’re better equipped to navigate different environments, whether in post-secondary education, at work, or in social settings.


Building strong self-advocacy skills also leads to more meaningful interactions outside the classroom. Students who can communicate their needs and stand up for their rights are more likely to create supportive networks, work well with others, and advocate for themselves in various professional situations.


In the end, focusing on teaching self-advocacy will help students with disabilities become more independent and successful in school, while also setting them up for bright futures where they can communicate confidently and effectively in every part of their lives.


Teacher in blue dress instructs class, students raising hands. Classroom with desks, whiteboard, and natural light from window.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment for Students with Disabilities


  • Foster Trust

    1. Establish a safe space for students to express themselves without judgment.


  • Open Communication

    1. Encourage dialogue and use active listening to validate students' experiences.


  • Visual Aids

    1. Preference Charts: Use images to help students identify activities they enjoy.

    2. Strengths and Needs Inventory: Implement checklists for students to indicate areas of strength and support needs.


  • Interest Inventories

    1. Questionnaires: Provide simple surveys about hobbies and subjects.

    2. Interest Surveys: Utilize tailored tools to engage students.


  • Self-Reflection

    1. Journaling: Promote journaling for students to document interests and feelings.

    2. Guided Reflections: Hold discussions for students to share their school and extracurricular experiences.


  • Strengths-Based Assessments

    1. Discovery Activities: Use games to highlight strengths and talents in a supportive setting.


  • Needs Assessments

    1. Identifying Support Needs: Discuss challenges and necessary support strategies.

    2. Collaborative Goal Setting: Help students set SMART goals based on their interests and strengths.


  • Exploring Opportunities

    1. Field Trips and Extracurriculars: Offer experiences to discover new interests and talents.

    2. Mentorship Programs: Pair students with mentors for guidance and support in identifying strengths.

    **This is extremely important! We all rely on the information we gain from our life experiences to shape our preferences, interests, needs, and strengths. This personal development cannot occur solely in a classroom setting. Students must engage in first-hand experiences to truly learn and grow. However, making these experiences happen for our students can often be easier said than done. Sometimes, we need to be very creative or put in a lot of effort to facilitate these opportunities.**


By implementing these strategies, educators can empower students with disabilities to understand their preferences, strengths, and support needs. This self-awareness builds confidence and prepares them for future challenges, fostering independence and happiness in life.


 

Identifying Preferences, Interests, Needs, and Strengths


As you read, consider how you can differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of your students. Take into account their speech and language requirements, motor skills, attention spans, and behavior plans.


Make sure each student has the essential vocabulary for effective self-advocacy. This may involve planning ahead with the Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to include this vocabulary in the student's AAC device or in a visual aid for reference. Remember that some students may need to use a slant board for writing, might prefer to type, or may require a scribe. They may also benefit from taking movement breaks during lessons or earning tokens for engagement. Additionally, think about teaching the lesson in smaller segments instead of all at once.


When planning your lessons, collaborate with your multidisciplinary team, which may include professionals from speech therapy, occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), as well as specialists in art, music, and behavioral and mental health therapy whenever possible.


Helping students with disabilities identify their preferences, interests, needs, and strengths is crucial for fostering self-advocacy and independence. This outlines effective strategies and activities to assist educators, caregivers, and support staff in this process.


Self-Advocacy Activities


Cover of "Would You Rather?" with a blue hand pointing at red and yellow buttons, surrounded by question marks. Bold text and playful design.

  • Play "Would You Rather"

  • Role-play scenarios in which you may need to advocate. Create some examples and encourage the class to develop their own. Remember to discuss a variety of resources they can use to aid their self-advocacy.

    • Encourage students to share scenarios they have experienced in the past or are currently facing. Discuss what strategies would help them advocate for themselves in these situations, or explore the outcomes when they did advocate for themselves.

      • A student is nervous about asking their teacher for help on an assignment because they’re afraid of being judged. They feel like there’s too much going on but don’t know how to say it.

      • A student with a learning disability has a hard time asking for extra time on tests. They feel shy about bringing it up to their teachers and worry that classmates might think differently of them.

      • A teenager wants to tell their parents they need a bit more freedom, but they’re worried about starting an argument or being misunderstood.

      • A student with learning differences wants to let their classmates know they need some support during group projects, but they’re anxious about how they’ll be perceived if they speak up.

      • An employee with a mobility difference finds it difficult to speak up about needing changes at their job. They notice their employer doesn’t really get how important some adjustments are, and they're scared that if they say something, they might risk their job.

      • A person with sensory sensitivities feels overwhelmed by noises and lights at home. They want to talk to their family about making changes, but it’s tough for them to explain what they need without feeling bad or like they’re being a burden.

      • A young adult with autism wants to join in more with their friends but finds it hard to share how they communicate best. Their friends sometimes misinterpret what they mean, leaving them feeling left out and frustrated.


  • Watch clips from shows or movies

    • Discuss how the characters advocated for themselves. Discuss what they could have done differently.

    • Ask students to do this for homework and bring descriptions of the scenario and their discussion points in.


PINS worksheets





20 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page