It’s Their Future:Self-Awareness

and Self-Advocacy

Linda Ciancio-Brown Parent Leader and

Parent of an I’m Determined Youth Leader

Nancy Anderson

Region 4I’m Determined Coordinator

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Core Components of Self-Determination

(combination of skills, knowledge & beliefs)

Choice-making Decision-making Problem-solving Goal-setting &

attainment Internal focus of control Positive attributes of

efficacy and outcomes expectancy

Self-Observation

Self-Evaluation Self-

Reinforcement Self-Instruction Self-Advocacy

& Leadership Self-Awareness Self-Knowledge 2

To your child-Self-determination

means… Knowing and believing in herself/himself

Knowing what she/he wants her/his future to look like and how to plan for that future

Knowing the supports she/he will need to take control of her/his life

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When your youth feels some control=Success for

All

Youth

Teachers

ParentsCommuni

ty

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Your child will need self-determination skills…

To advocate for her/his rights and needs.

To be able to explain to others what he/she needs to be successful on the job, in college or training environments, and when living independently.

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Parents:Did you know…

Students who incorporate self-determination goals into their IEP’s and transition plans are more likely to earn higher incomes one year after graduation.

Incorporating choice-making opportunities into behavior support plans improves behavior outcomes.

Instruction in problem-solving skills can lead to improved employment outcomes.

(Wehmeyer, 2004; Shogren, Faggella-Luby, Bae & Wehmeyer, 2004; O’Reilly, Lancioni & O’Kane, 2000)6

What can YOU(Parent) do to encourage self-awareness/self-

advocacy behavior in your child?

Increase Disability and ABILITY awareness in your youth

Parents:

Have you talked to your child about

his/her disability?

What it is all about?

Have you explained his/her IEP?

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Ways We Can Begin and Continue to Foster the

Development of Self-Awareness

and Self-Advocacy

Skills8

Your child’s involvement in the

IEP Builds self-

advocacy skills and self-esteem

Gives your child some control over their education

Builds important social and conversational skills;

Teaches the processes of decision-making, goal setting and achievement

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HELLO TO ALL

My name is Zachary Brown

I want you to know: I am honored to be a Leader

with The I’m Determined project I live in Hopewell, Virginia with

my mother My girlfriend is Caroline, we met

at I’m Determined I have a close relationship

/support with my sister Courtney & mom

My dad passed away when I was four years old

MY DREAMS

• Be a good student/citizen

• Work with and teach young children

• Be more independent

• Have self-determination

• Be a successful swimmer

• Have fun with friends

• Always be close to God

• To manage in times of trouble

• To be tall as my dad

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5 Tools/Strategies to help develop Self- Determination

One Pagers Good Day Plan Goal Setting & Attainment Supplemental Worksheets (Rubrics,

Articles, All About Me Guide) Student led conferences/IEPS

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My Needs

My Interests

Name: Date:

My Strengths

My Preferences

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My Needs

My Interests

Name: Zachary Brown Date: March 2011

My Strengths

My Preferences

• Organized• Patient• Working with children• Track• Swimming• Football Manager

• Music• Video games• Fun with friends• Pray with others• Teaching children

• Working with a partner

• Visual and hands-on activities

• Rewrite notes before tests

• Extended time with all of my work

• Short, concise directions• Study guides

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Accommodations that Work

In the Future I Want To

I Like To

Joe Marks

Recycling

Stocking at Wal-Mart

Delivering the Paper

Shopping

Attend HomecomingParade Attend Prom Attend Senior Picnic

Attend Senior Breakfast Graduate at the Siegel Center

Verbal Praise

AugmentativeCommunication System

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What is missing from these tools?

Parents: What do you notice about the One Pager? What are we not asking of the student?

What is your Disability?

Identify your Disability.15

Student-led IEPsStudent Participation in IEPs

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The Parent’s Dream….

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LINDA

MY PRAYERS and DREAMS FOR ZACH

To adapt to any environment regardless of his disability

Happiness Confidence Success Opportunity Good Friends/special young

lady Continue to have a close

relationship w/ his sister Courtney

Independence To always look to God To have protection and favor

in his life 18

Parent Benefits Positive relationships with student &

parent.

IEP meeting centered on student needs

The IEP process makes sense to everybody involved . . . “It’s not just paperwork anymore”

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ZACHHOW the i’m determined project helped me to reach my GOALS?

Determine my goals

Think about what I want to know and how to reach it

Make a plan

Deal with roadblocks

List accomplishments

GO FOR IT

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LINDAHow has the i’m determined project helped me to

support Zach Self-Advocacy and Self-Awareness Skills ?

As a parent, the i’m determined project has helped me to support Zach by providing both of us opportunities through i’m determined Youth/Parent Summits……

Most Important *the testimonies shared by the i’m determined youth

Tools/Workshops Encouragement Resource/Community Agencies Networking Fellowship/meet with families that

have a youth with a disability Support

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Way To Go Zachary!!His Future, His

Way… It Takes a Village to Raise a Child…

Zachary advocated for himself. He learned about himself . Mom, sister, girlfriend, teachers, all were there for him.. but he lead the way…

He ‘s very successful!

What’s Next for Zachary? __________________________

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