THREE ACTIONS PARENTS CAN TAKE TO INCREASE SELF-ADVOCACY SKILLS

Self-Advocacy

Self-Advocacy

Three actions parents can take to increase self advocacy skills of their children as they transition between activities.

  1. Doing for our children when they can be taught to do for themselves is a counter productive behavior and should be minimized as quickly as possible.
  2. When teaching your children about self-advocacy you may want to consider the following five decision making steps, while continuing to provide support and direction:
    • What is the decision you need to make?
    • What decisions could you make?
    • Evaluate each choice. What are the pluses and minuses of each choice?
    • Pick the best choice. Describe which choice you think is best for you.
    • Evaluate. Did you make the best choice for you?
  3. There are many opportunities for teaching self-advocacy skills throughout the day. It starts with making choices – choices for meals, choices for leisure activities, even choices for which chores to do around the house.
/by