Clubhouse Scenarios
Somebody cuts in front of you in line for lunch. How can you advocate for yourself?
Politely ask them to move to the back of the line.
Speak to a leader if you need help.
You are at a friends house for dinner and you don't know where their bathroom is but you know you need to GO! How can you advocate for yourself?
Ask them to show you where their washroom is!
While at the grocery store, there are two people with carts blocking the whole aisle you are trying to get through. How can you advocate for yourself?
What is self-advocacy?
Self-advocacy is saying what we want or need.
You really need to use the washroom but both doors have been closed for 10 minutes. How can you advocate for yourself?
Knock on the doors. If someone is inside, politely let them know you need the washroom. (Don't open the door to tell them though!)
While out to eat with your friends, a waitress takes your order and says "Anything else?" your friend says "No, that's all we need!" but you really want a Coke. How can you advocate for yourself?
Politely stop the waitress before she leaves the table and ask for a Coke!
You're waiting for your food at Dairy Queen and they finally call your number! You get to the front and a man is walking away with your food before you can stop him! How can you advocate for yourself?
Show the staff your receipt, explain what happened, politely ask them to remake your order
False! Self-advocacy helps us get what we need, but it is not a trick to get everything we want!
During lunch, someone at your table keeps talking louder and louder. You're starting to feel overwhelmed. How can you advocate for yourself?
You're in a group chat with your friends and they start teasing somebody who is not in the group chat. You don't think it is funny that they are making fun of your friend. How can you advocate for yourself?
Set a boundary with your friends. Explain that you will not talk bad about somebody else. Leave the group chat if it does not stop. Tell a trusted adult if you need help.
You are having a picnic at the park with a friend when some kids start making fun of you and teasing you and your friend. How can you advocate for yourself?
Ask the kids politely to please stop.
Move to a different place if they won't stop.
If you have support or feel comfortable doing it on your own, tell their parents.
Is advocacy something we only do for ourselves, or can we advocate for others as well?
We can advocate for others! Once you have practiced advocating for yourself, you will find it easier to help others advocate for what they need as well.
Your group leader told you in the morning you could have one of the last cookies at snack. They start handing out cookies and you aren't sure if there will be enough for you. How can you advocate for yourself?
Confidently (and politely!) remind your group leader about your discussion. Ask for a cookie!
You planned to go for a walk around Kinsmen with your good friend! The day comes around and you are feeling very tired. You aren't sure if your body is feeling up to a walk. How can you advocate for yourself?
Tell your friend that your body is asking for a break. See if you can watch a movie or do something else relaxing together.
You are excited to go to a concert and see your favorite singer! You get to the dome and somebody is sitting in your seats. You show them your tickets and they still refuse to move. How can you advocate for yourself?
Talk to the Community Helpers (staff) at the event, let them handle it!
Who can advocate?
Anyone! Everyone!
You are loading the bus and had saved a seat beside you for a friend. Someone else sits in the seat you were saving. How can you advocate for yourself?
Politely tell them you were hoping to sit next to your friend. Ask if you can help them find a different seat.
While out for your friend's birthday dinner your stomach starts getting upset. You want to stay to celebrate but you are very uncomfortable. You tell your friend you are going to call your ride, and your friend begs you to stay for just 20 more minutes to have cake with them. How can you advocate for yourself?
Tell your friend you love them but you have to listen to your body for your safety AND theirs. Call your ride to come get you.
You are at Karaoke at Mike's on a Tuesday. You submitted a song awhile ago and you notice everybody else has sang at least 2 songs but you have not sang 1 song yet. How can you advocate for yourself?
Ask Christy if she has your song in the cue, maybe it got lost!
True or false: You can stop advocating for yourself once you're an adult.
False! You will be self-advocating for the rest of your life, so learning how is important!