True or False
Self-advocacy is when you stick up for yourself and make your own decisions...
True!
Your teacher handed out a math assignment to everyone in your class. You look over the assignment and feel overwhelmed because you do not know how to solve the first problem. How can you advocate for yourself?
Raise your hand and ask the teacher for help.
What does self-advocacy mean to you?
Good job! :)
While the teacher was going over a lesson, you were talking to a friend. When the teacher calls on you to answer a question, you freeze and do not know the answer. You tell your teacher you do not know because your friend was talking to you...
Not okay! You need to take responsibility for your actions. If your friend is bothering you while you are trying to listen, advocate for yourself and ask your friend to please stop talking.
Self-advocacy is when you agree with what everyone else wants to do even though you want to do something else...
False! Self-advocacy is when you communicate your interests and wants even though they are different from others.
A classmate next to you keeps on putting their belongings in your work area and on your desk. This classmate is not respecting your personal space. What can you do to advocate for yourself?
Let the classmate know how you are feeling, tell the classmate to keep his body/ belongings in his work area, ask the teacher for help, use a coping skill (take a break, drink some water, deep breaths)
How have you advocated for yourself this week?
Excellent! :)
The teacher tells the class to write about their favorite memory. You are stuck and do not know what you should write about. You raise your hand to ask the teacher for help with what to write.
Okay! You are advocating for yourself by raising your hand and asking for help. The important thing is that you tried your best first before asking for help.
Self-advocacy is when you ask for help when you are confused or do not understand something...
True!
Someone at your birthday party is left out of a game. How would you advocate for them to be included?
You can tell the other party goers to stop and make room for the person that is left out.
How does advocating for yourself make you feel?
Good answer! :)
You have a peanut allergy but want to sit with your friends at the same table so you can go to recess together. You don't say anything but are worried the entire time you're eating lunch because you don't want to have an allergic reaction.
Not okay! You need to eat at the peanut-free table and ask your friends to wait to go to recess for you.
Self-advocacy is when you use your voice to express your needs and thoughts to others in a respectful manner (ex: Please stop talking to me. I am trying to listen to the teacher)...
True!
Use an I-Message. I feel upset when you make fun of my shirt. I like the way I dress so could you please keep your opinions about my clothing to yourself.
When is it hard to advocate for yourself?
Fantastic! :)
You did not finish your school work (math) at school so you have homework to do. You know how to do the math homework, but you ask your parents for help anyway and have them do a lot of the work/ problem solving for you.
Not okay! You need to try your best and solve problems on your own first before asking help from others. It is okay if you make mistakes. Mistakes are proof that you are trying.
Self-advocacy is when someone asks you what you would want to play at recess and you say, "I don't care..."
False! Self-advocacy is when you tell others what you like and support your ideas (Ex: I want to play kickball).
Ask your adult to let you choose where to go next time. Compromise is always best when there is a small conflict.
Say Free-sha-va-ka-doo 5 times...
Congrats! You earned 500 points!!!
You are new to a school and introduce yourself as Victoria. Your new classmates call you Tori, a nickname you've always hated, but are too shy/scared to correct them.
Not okay! It is important to stand up for yourself and let your new classmates know you would rather be called Victoria.