Module 4Self-Advocacy and Independence

Self-Advocacy and Independence

There are a lot of steps that have to happen before you really communicate with someone, right?

Like what you say, how you say something, how you use your body language, and how you listen.

If you’ve ever had trouble communicating with someone or letting someone know what could help you, check out this module!

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Steps to Communicating

Body Language

• Your teacher was really upset about you falling asleep in class.

• She was looking at you like she was real mad, had her hands on her hips, and her face was red.

•Body Language =•the way someone looks at you•the way they position their arms or legs•the facial expression they use

Eye Contact

• Look at whoever is talking at the time.• When you look at people

while they are speaking, they think you are listening.

• When you look away from someone, they think you stopped listening.

• When you are talking, look at the people you are speaking to. That means looking at everyone, one face at a time.

Assertiveness – NOT AGGRESSION

• Think about the boy who had the neighbor’s cat backed into a corner and teased it by squirting water on it from some squirt gun. Cats hate water! The boy is being AGGRESSIVE by attacking the cat and teasing it.

What do you think the cat will do?

That’s right! Be AGGRESSIVE right back! He’s going to spit

and hiss and scratch!

Assertiveness = To stand up for yourself, to be confident, and to make sure your opinions are

listened to.

• Keep your voice calm. Don’t yell or holler or scream. If you have something to say, speak up but don’t shout out!

• Wait for your turn to speak. Don’t interrupt other people, it only makes them mad.

• Don’t fight dirty! For example, don’t tell someone that their hair looks like they were electrocuted just because you disagree with them about something else!

Advocate = Speak up!

• When you advocate for yourself, you speak up for yourself and stand up for things that are important to you.

Three Keys to Self-Advocacy•Know what you want.•Know what other people want.•Know how to communicate why it is important to do/get/try what you want.

Independence

• Do you ever wonder about going to college? Living on your own? Meeting new people and seeing new places?

• Independent people know themselves and the strengths and limitations they have to create the life they want.

• Independent people know how to advocate for their needs.

Self-Advocacy and IndependenceBody language, eye contact, and

assertiveness help you communicate.

When you are able to communicate properly, you can advocate for the things (like supports and services) that you want and need.

The ability to self-advocate will help in all aspects of my life, including where I live, work and who my friends are after high school and in reaching my GOALS!

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You Have Completed Module 4

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