Strategies
Where might you have to self-advocate?
Anywhere--School, home, community, work
Your dad asks if you want spaghetti and tomato sauce for dinner, but lately tomato sauce has been hurting your stomach when you eat it.
Dad, lately tomato sauce has been hurting my stomach. Is it ok if we have something else?
You have a question in English class about the due date.
Ask your question when it is the right time. This may mean raising your hand and asking a teacher. It may mean asking a classmate.
You are taking the Metro and you aren't sure what stop is next.
Ask someone nearby who looks friendly.
What makes self-advocacy challenging for you?
Who may you have to self-advocate to?
Parents, teachers, friends, classmates, family, strangers
You have outgrown your favorite pair of shoes and your feet are starting to get blisters on the heels when you wear them.
Do you think we could look for a new pair of shoes? I've outgrown mine.
You have a really bad headache and you can't focus.
Ask a teacher if you can go to the health clinic.
You can't find the price for an item at the grocery store.
Name one context in which you want to improve your self-advocacy skills.
At work, at school, at home, in the community, with my family, with friends...
What is self advocacy?
A life skill that allows us to problem solve, speak up, and get our needs met.
Your family is in a fight and you are feeling really angry about the fighting.
Calm down. Let your family know how you are feeling.
You left your glasses at home, and you can't read the board. The teacher writes down some important information on the board.
Is it ok if I sit closer so I can see better?
Your cousin wants to go out to a movie, and you really want to hang out, but you don't have money to pay for a movie.
Is it ok if we do something different? Like watch a movie at home? I'm broke right now.
Name one calming strategy that works for you.
Take a break, positive self-talk, thinking of my happy place...
Describe what self-advocacy means to you.
Speaking up for myself; letting others know what my needs are; sharing my ideas
Your chore at home is doing the dishes. The dish sponge is starting to smell bad and it really bothers you. Your mom tells you to microwave it, but it smells weird.
I did what you asked me to do, but the sponge still smells weird. Is it ok if we get a different one?
Your partner in Math isn't doing their fair share of work. They are fooling around and distracting you and others. It is really annoying you.
Calm down. Tell the student in an assertive way that you need their help. If they don't help, and this becomes a pattern in class, check in with teacher.
You are at the doctor for a check-up and she is talking too fast for you to follow what she is saying.
I'm having a hard time understanding. Would you please speak more slowly?
Why isn't it possible to self-advocate if you aren't calm?
Because you can't problem solve well if your emotions are big
What is being assertive?
Communicating your wants, needs and ideas in a way that is respectful to you and the other person
Your aunt asks you to be at home right after school. You learn you have a club meeting right after school.
Your teacher accuses you of using AI for a writing assignment. You didn't. You feel nervous and angry.
Calm down. Explain to the teacher that you didn't use AI and show them versions of your writing on Google Drive.
Your boss is oftentimes indirect. He will say things like, "It would be great if someone could finish unloading the produce." You prefer direct communication because it's hard for you to understand indirect communication.
You ask your boss if there is time for you to speak in private. You explain to your boss that it is important to you to be a good employee but it is hard when he uses more indirect communication. You ask if he would be willing to use more direct communication and give him an example.
Give an example from the long weekend of your self-advocating.
Many possibilities!