How to Prepare Your Child to beA Self Advocate

Would You Consider this Child be a Successful??

• Went away to college• Graduated with a BA in four years• Got a good paying job right after

graduating• Director of Community Health Care

Programs• Very active in their community • Received a Master Degree

My Story• Leap of Faith for me & my parents• My Parents knew what I was

capable of• Trail / Errors

Self Advocacy

A Self Advocate is an individual who has the ability to effectively express his or her own interests, desires, needs and rights.

Benefits of Self Advocacy• Speak for themselves• Express what the child wants or

does want for their future• Builds the child self esteem• Parents can use to measure how

capable their child is at making their own decision

How to Build Self Advocacy Skills

• Take more respondsibility for their day to day activities

• Have chores• Take Care of themselves

– Make their own lunch– Do their own laundry

• Belong to a school or community group – i.e. Scouts, Boys & Girls Club

• Volunteer Activities• Leadership Activities

How to Build Self Advocacy Skills

• Communication Skills• Decision Making Skills• Take Reasonable Risks• Understand their Disabilities