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Explore what self-advocacy means, learn to identify needs, develop communication skills, and embrace personal responsibilities at Arleta High School's 2014-2015 session. Discover seven steps to self-advocacy, gain insights on academic responsibility, social skills development, and organizational abilities. Engage in practical exercises, share insights with peers, and role-play self-advocacy scenarios with partners in supportive environments. Overcome fears of speaking up, learn to request help confidently, and practice advocating for yourself at different life stages.
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Advocating for Ourselves Mester Two, Week 6 Grade 9 Advisory Arleta High School 2014-2015
What do YOU think Self-Advocacy means? • Talk to your elbow partner or the people at your group table • Select one person from your group to share your response with the rest of the class • Now, let’s see the textbook definition…
What is Self-Advocacy? • Self-advocacy is understanding your strengths and needs, identifying your personal goals, knowing your legal rights and responsibilities, and communicating these to others. • Self-advocacy is speaking up for oneself. Source: http://texasprojectfirst.org/SelfAdvocacy.html
Seven Steps to Self-Advocacy • Self-advocacy is the ability to identify and explain your needs. • In elementary and middle school, your advocates (people who spoke up for you) were your parents and teachers. • In high school, your parents and teachers are still your advocates, but it is a time for you to learn, in a safe environment, to advocate for yourself. • In college and the workplace, you must become your OWN advocate – the time to practice safely is NOW!
Step 1 • Recognize that academic success or failure is YOUR responsibility.
Step 2 • Understand your abilities and areas of need and learn ways to compensate. Learn how to explain your needs to others.
Step 3 • Develop good communication skills to request assistance and services.
Step 4 • Know when you need help and ask for it. • Understand that it is OK to ask for help! Everyone needs help now and then!
Step 5 • Know and understand your strengths and areas where you need to improve. • Be honest with yourself!
Step 6 • Develop and use mature social and personal skills.
Step 7 • Be organized! It relieves stress and demonstrates good planning ability.
Who am I? – Self-Advocacy Worksheet • You will now work independently to complete a worksheet about yourself – your strengths, areas for improvement, interests, etc. • Be honest with yourself… this information is to help you help yourself and get the help you need from others!
Sharing your Work • Share what you wrote on your self-advocacy worksheet with a partner. • Does your partner have any suggestions for additions? • Do you have any suggestions for your partner? • Revise/review your worksheet based on your conversation with your partner.
But, I’m Afraid to Speak Up! • Why do I find it difficult to advocate for myself? • Advocating for ourselves can be risky. We fear failure, rejection, or feelings of embarrassment. • We want to avoid conflict! Source: http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=54&sid=16239946
Scenarios for Self-Advocacy • Working with a partner, you will receive a scenario in which you will act out a situation in which one of you will have to advocate for yourself, and one of you will play the other part. • Be prepared to act out your scenario for the class!