Steps to Self-Advocacy
What is the first step of self-advocacy?
State the problem - you can say "I struggle..." "It is difficult..." "I don't know..." "It's hard for me..."
Your mom or dad cooks a dinner with pasta and Brussel sprouts on the side. You hate Brussel sprouts because sometime you feel sick from them but you know your mom or dad wants you to eat your vegetable.
When talking to your mom or dad, how might you state the problem?
Mom or dad I feel a little sick when I eat brussel sprouts, can I be excused from eating them.
You need help with a math problem on a worksheet that you do not understand.
When talking with your teacher, how might you self-advocate?
I'm having difficulty figuring out this math problem. I have tried to go back through my notes to figure out where I'm getting stuck, but I'm still not getting it. Could you please explain to me how to solve this problem?
Jackie knows that she has a problem if she does not sit toward the front of the room. Her teacher has given her a seat in the back of the room and it is difficult for her to see. How might she advocate for herself in a mature, socially acceptable way?
Jackie might say to her teacher, "It is difficult for me to see the board when I sit at the back of the class. I wear my glasses during class, but it still doesn't make everything perfectly clear. Could I please sit closer to the front of the room?"
True or false: You don't have to state what you have tried to do on your own to solve the problem - the person you're talking to doesn't need to know that!
FALSE - you should always state what you have tried to do on your own to solve the problem so that the person you are talking to knows what you have already tried to do.
You have been inside the house all week. Your friend ask you to come hang with them after school, but your parent is unaware that you want to hang out with your friend today.
How might you advocate for yourself in this situation?
You will directly ask your parent if you can go hang out with your friend after school.
You want to take your test in a quiet environment away from your peers to help you concentrate.
When you talk to your teacher, how might you state the problem?
When I take tests, it is difficult for me to focus because I am easily distracted by other people, even if they are not talking to me.
Phil knows that he is allowed to have extra time to complete math tests, or that he can take them in the Learning Lab. He failed his latest math test, because he didn't go for the extra time. How might he advocate for himself in a mature, socially acceptable way?
Phil might say to his teacher, "I failed the last math test because I did not ask for extra time, or go to the Learning Lab. To make sure that doesn't happen again, may I take the next test in the Learning Lab? I will remind you on the day of the exam."
True or false: Before talking to someone about a problem you are having, you should take time to think about what you are going to say to them.
True - it is important to have an idea of what you are going to say, so that you make sure the appropriate person knows exactly what is going on.
You were sitting down playing your favorite game and your older brother comes and turns to tv to a basketball game. You tell him to turn back but he refuses.
How might you advocate for yourself in this situation?
Politely ask your older brother to turn back the channel and when you are done he can then watch tv ? Or let parents know what happened and allow them to help.
You would like to move seats, because the person next to you is constantly off-task and is distracting you.
When talking with your teacher, how might you explain how you have tried to solve this problem on your own?
I have tried ignoring this person's behavior. I have even asked him to be quiet because I need to focus, but it seems like he doesn't care what I have to say.
Jared was late to soccer practice because he had to pick his little brother up from school and walk him home. The coach is angry that Jared is late. Jared doesn't want to miss out on playing time. How can he advocate for himself in a mature, socially acceptable way?
Jared might say to the coach, "I'm sorry I was late for practice, I had to pick up my brother from school and walk him home. Next time, I will let you know if I am running late - is that okay with you?"
True or false: If you are having trouble with something, you should immediately ask for help without trying to solve it yourself.
False - unless it's a safety issue, you should try to solve the problem on your own.
while playing a game of soccer with friends in your backyard, you twist you ankle. At first you thought it was fine until it begins to hurt really bad throughout the night and you think you may need to go to the doctors.
How might your address the issue in this scenario.
Immediately tell your parents that your ankle hurts and ask if the can take you to the hospital.
You would like to have additional time to turn in an assignment, because the project has a lot of writing and writing is hard for you.
When talking with your teacher, how might you self-advocate?
I really struggle with writing - it takes me a lot of time to get my ideas down on paper. I have tried giving myself deadlines to pace myself so I don't feel like I need to rush, but it's still really difficult for me. Because this project has more writing than usual, could I have a few additional days to complete it?
You need to meet with your teacher at school in the morning to retake a summative. This means you will need to leave out early for school. You normally take the bus but your mom is also at home.
what would you do in this situation?
Maria might say to her boss, "I saw that you scheduled me to work at 3:00 this Wednesday. However, because I have school, I won't be able to get here until around 3:30. Could I come in at that time instead, and make up the extra half hour at the end of my shift?"