Park Forest Middle School

Self-Advocacy andSelf-Determination

Do You “Know Yourself”?

What are your strengths? What do you do well?

How do you learn?

What do you need to be able to learn?

What is Self-Advocacy?

Speaking up for yourself

Taking responsibility for what you want

Starts by knowing yourself, how you learn and how you do things

Knowing what you need and being able to ask for it

Who Are Self-Advocates

People that learn or do things differently

People that can be role models

Volunteers

Help others speak up for themselves

Feeling quiet and too shy to speakFeeling frustrated and madFeeling like I don’t know what to doFeeling afraid of saying the wrong thingNot knowing how someone else might

reactWanting to be nice to everybodyNot wanting to cause a problemNot wanting to draw attention to myselfThinking that no one will understand me

What Stops You From Being Your Own Advocate?

What Stops You From Being Your Own Advocate?

Figure out what stops you from being your own advocate

Come up with ways to overcome it

Can Self-Advocacy Make A Difference?

Examples of changes made by self-advocates:Living at home

Transportation

School classes

How To Be A Self-Advocate

You don’t need a title

Respect others

Have a voice and speak up

Be positive

How To Be A Self-Advocate

Listen to the ideas of othersBe truthful

Ask for help when you need help

Reach for your dream

Stand up for your legal rights

Why You Should Be A Self-Advocate

It helps you to protect your rights.

You can prepare for your future.

You can help others to be self-advocates too.

Is “Attitude” Important in Self-Advocacy?

Yes

Positive attitudes and beliefs are as important as skills.

You are worth advocating for.

Self-advocacy means taking responsibility for what you want.

Changing AttitudesMany people have the WRONG

ideas about people that learn or do things differently.

We are here to change some of those ideas.

We will share some of the WRONG ideas people have and show you the RIGHT ideas.

Changing Attitudes

WRONG WAY:1. Just because you

learn or do things differently people don’t like you & judge you.

2. Because I have different abilities, I can’t help.

RIGHT WAY:1. Introduce

yourself. Ask if you can be their friend and try to be friends

2. People with different abilities can be courteous. They can help. They can be useful.

Changing Attitudes WRONG WAY:3. People with

different abilities can’t participate in sports.

4. People that learn or do things differently pick on others. They are mean.

RIGHT WAY:3. They can. They can

be talented in sports. They can have good sportsmanship.

4. Not true. They can be helpful with others.

Changing Attitudes

• WRONG WAY:• 5. People that

learn or do things differently can’t stand up for themselves.

• 6. People with different abilities are not that smart or strong.

• RIGHT WAY:• People with different

abilities can speak for themselves. They can be honest, raise their voice and stand up for themselves.

• 6. People that learn or do things differently can be smart. They can have willpower and can still work hard.

What Are Accommodations?

Things that help you learn or accomplish what you are trying

to doExamples of accommodations:

Sitting in the front of the classExtra time on tests Larger printPicturesHaving instructions written instead of spokenHaving instructions spoken instead of writtenWheelchair or walker

What is Self-Determination?

Having control over those parts of life that are important to YOU

Why Is Self-Determination Important?

To youYou can choose who your friends

are.

You have the right to be heard. You have feelings.

Why is Self-Determination Important?

To people around you You and your family can choose how

you live your life.

Friends and family can help you make choices and be a good self-advocate.

What Does It Mean To Have Self-Determination?

You should be treated like anybody else. You should not be treated differently because you learn or do things differently.

As you make more choices and take greater control of your life you take on more responsibilities.

What Does It Mean To Have Self-Determination?

Everyone gets help from others.

You need to give help to others.

Why should we contribute?

Contributing or volunteering makes us feel like a part of something.

Contributing helps us figure out who we are and what is important to us.

Why Is Contributing A Part Of Self-Determination?

Why Is Contributing A Part Of

Self-Determination?Everyone can contribute to their

community.

You can contribute your time and skills as well as what you think and feel.

How Can You Contribute?

Doing chores around your house

Helping others Mowing grassBabysitting Carrying in groceriesListen to a friend’s problem

Getting involved in school activities

Helping others with their homework

How Can You Show Self-Determination?

Make choices for yourself

How Can You Show Self-Determination?

Direct your own IEP

How Can You Show Self-Determination?

Ask for what you need that would make things easier for you

Learn to talk about things you do well and things you like to do

Why Is It Important To Try (even if it doesn’t work)?

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”

Sometimes we learn by fixing the mistakes we made.