Self-Advocacy for Kids with Special Needs

by JoleneAug 14, 2013Advocacy, Special Needs Parenting0 comments

Self-advocacy is an essential skill to foster in our kids with special needs. But how do we do that? This article from Chicago Parent offers 5 practical tips.

Self-advocacy in kids with special needs is a skill parents need to foster. But we often overlook doing so for several reasons. We’re in the habit of advocating for them. Our identity is wrapped up in our advocacy efforts and it’s hard to release that bit of ourselves. We’re worried they won’t be able to advocate effectively on their own.

Self-Advocacy: How to Teach It to Kids

An article at Chicago Parent by Liz DeCarlo addresses the issue head on. She interviewed Leanne Roth, director of employment and advocacy for SouthStar who said, “It gives them the power to have some control over their lives, with support and to the best of their ability….Everyone involved has grown more independent and that’s because of what we do in self-advocacy.”

Self-Advocacy: 5 Tips to Foster It In Children with Special Needs

Roth offers these 5 tips to foster self-advocacy in kids with special needs:

Listen to your kids when they tell you what they want to do.
Ask why your child wants to do what he or she wants to do.
Give them responsibility. Ask questions like “How can I help you” and “What are you doing about this?” instead of automatically taking over and doing things for them.
Start small. Gradually release responsibility to them instead of all at once.
Be prepared for bumps. Realize that everything won’t work perfectly the first time. Be ready to try it again.

To read the entire article which provides a lot of practical examples and advice, go to Teaching Kids with Special Needs to Self-Advocate.

How Do You Foster Self-Advocacy in Your Kids?

Are you teaching your child to self-advocate? Do you have more tips than those listed above? Leave a comment to share your good ideas with the rest of us.

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By Jolene

Jolene Philo is the author of several books for the caregiving community. She speaks at parenting and special needs conferences around the country. Sharing Love Abundantly With Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities, which she co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman, was released in August of 2019 and is available at local bookstores, their bookstore website, and Amazon. See Jane Sing!, the second book in the West River cozy mystery series, which features characters affected by disability, was released in November of 2022.