“i can do that!”. developing self-determination skills in young children
TRANSCRIPT
“I can do that!”
Developing Self-determination Skills
in Young Children
Carol Wiegle, M.A.
Coordinator,Region 5 TTAC
James Madison University
Some Important Numbers
• For infants and toddlers ages birth through 2, the number receiving services under Part C of
IDEA has nearly doubled, from 177,281 in 1995 to 321,894 in 2007.
• For children ages 3–5, the number receiving services under Part B of IDEA has increased by nearly 23 percent, from 548,588 in 1995 to 710,371 in 2007.
• 70% of HS students graduate on time in US in 2010.
• Of the 30% who dropout:
**73% are students with a disability
• HS dropouts earn approximately $10K less than HS graduates
**IF that 30% graduated, it would add $400 billion to the national economy!
SO WHAT!
“I teach preschool, Carol”
HERE’S WHAT!
I can do that!
I can do that!
Self -determination
What is Self-Determination?
Acting as the primary causal agent in one’s life and making choices and decisions regarding one’s quality of life free from undue external influence or interference.
»Wehmeyer, 1996
Shift in Thinking!
Dependent IndependentEnable AbleTeacher GuideLack of self Self awarenessDisengaged Engaged
‘If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t,
you’re right.’
Mary Kay Ash
Building Blocks of SD
Making choices
Control over the environment
Expressing preferences/feelings
Partners
Environment
Home• Safety issues• Freedom to roam• Accessibility to toys,
clothes, food and a system for each
• Personal space• Routines and
organization (self care)
School• Accessibility –
availability of materials• Routines, organization,
schedules• Individual verses group• Respect/acknowledge-
ment for choice(s)
• Home • School
Share
Engagement
• Sustained attention to an activity
Odom & Bailey, 2000
• …appropriate interactions with the environment including materials and people
• (Bailey & Wolery, 1992)
“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.”
Maria Montessori
Observing verse Doing
Choice
An act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities
Recognizes a growing capability and the right of children to have at least a small "say" in their own lives.
• Foods, clothing, toys, activities, playmates
• Choice starts with communication
Lack of choice
• problem behavior• non-compliance• poor locus of control (the ability to be in charge
of our feelings)
Preferences
• Knowing the child – respecting his preferred way(s)
• Interviewing and talking with family to gain insight
• Home visits to observe the child in his most familiar environment
Preferences
Means “control” over something!
Switches
AFOs
Head and trunk supports
Tube for feeding
Jamie loves…..
My Needs
My Interests
Name:Address:DOB:
Date:
My Strengths
My Preferences
My Needs
My Interests
Name:Address:DOB:
Date:
My Strengths
My Preferences
Student-led IEP meeting!
The IEP Meeting!!
• Whose plan is it?
• What age to start?
• Strategies: -Where to begin?- What & How?
Imagine the Possibilities:
• Communication: *child to parent*child to team*parent to child*parent to team
• Parent Participation:*parent attending meeting*whole family attending meeting*pride and acceptance*building partnerships
• Opportunities to practice Developmental Skill
*Language development* Social skills* Communication* Self confidence
• http://www.starfall.com/n/me/me/load.htm?f
• http://www.imdetermined.org/