Self-Advocacy—What Is It and How Do I Practice It?
What is Self-Advocacy?
Self-advocacy means taking the responsibility for telling people what you want and need in a straightforward way. It is knowing how to:
• speak up for yourself
• describe your strengths, disability, needs, and wishes
• take responsibility for yourself
• find out about your rights
• obtain help or know who to ask if you have a question
How Do I Practice Self Advocacy?
It is never too early to start teaching your child how he or she can advocate for himself or herself. Like many other important life skills, self-advocacy is a critical tool your child needs in order to achieve goals, increase self-sufficiency, and become a successful young adult. It is a lifelong process that begins with your child learning by watching you, as a parent, be a good advocate.
Self-advocacy is a key step in becoming an adult. It means looking out for yourself, telling people what you need, and knowing how to take responsibility. No one is born knowing these skills. Everyone has to learn them. Ready to begin learning? Click on the link above for some great information from teens, for teens, that can start you on your way.
Drama. Bullying. Teasing. Harassment. No matter what you call it, it hurts. If you’re pushed, hit, or your things are ripped off or trashed, it can hurt physically. If you’re ignored by friends or cruel things are posted about you online, it can hurt emotionally. If it happens to you, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Why me?” You know how painful it is to be treated this way. So seriously, what can you do? A lot! Learn how.
Bullying can be stopped, but that doesn’t just happen. You must take action and develop a plan that works for you and your situation. This is your opportunity to change what is happening to you or some else and to make a difference. You can get started by creating your own plan to take action against bullying!