Self-Advocacy and Special Needs
Requesting Modifications and Accommodation
Children learn to express wants and needs at a very young age. Teach strategies to kids with special needs with this plan.
Although certain legislation (IDEA in the school environment and ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act - in the community) protects the rights of individuals with disabilities, the world is not a perfect place. Sometimes people and establishments must be reminded. The purpose of this article is not to debate law. The purpose, rather, is to give ideas of how to promote self-advocacy through communication.
Determine Needed Accommodations and Modifications
It is critical to help children and teens with special needs understand what assistance they need. A child with a physical impairment, for example, may need to use an elevator or a ramp to access certain parts of public buildings. Is the child able to ask for directions to the elevator? Does he thank the person who can offer directions? Is he able to reasonably express concern when the elevator is not working?
Practice Expressing Wants and Needs
- Talk with your child about potential needs at school, with friends, and in the community.
- Listen to his concerns and questions.
- Brainstorm ways to ask for help.
- Practice asking, using the role playing approach.
Does your child need a menu that is printed in Braille at a restaurant? If your child is old enough to read a menu, he is old enough to demonstrate something important to the world – disability does not mean helplessness. For more information on encouraging appropriate independence read Special Needs Learned Helplessness.
Does your child need a shortened assignment in math? While the child’s IEP might list that as a modification, teachers are human. If the worksheets are passed out, and the child’s assignment is a long as the other students several things could be happening. Perhaps the length of that particular assignment is okay for all the students, or perhaps it was an oversight. A quick question will take care of the situation.
Provide Support from Parents and Professionals as Needed
Make sure that your child understands that he is not alone. It is important for parents and professionals to assist children and teens in their requests if needed.
The idea of self-advocacy in children and teens is to understand their own needs and to feel confident in expressing those needs. Naturally, children do not have to represent themselves in IEP meetings (unless they are 18 in some states, 14 in others). Young children and teens would not be actively involved in lobbying to change legislation. However, young children and teens with disabilities will be the adults of the future. Learning strong communication skills now will only benefit them and the rest of society in the future.
