It’s Their Future: Self-Awareness and Self-Advocacy

It’s Their Future:Self-Awarenessand Self-Advocacy Linda Ciancio-Brown Parent Leader andParent of an I’m Determined Youth LeaderNancy AndersonRegion 4I’m Determined Coordinator

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 Core Components of Self-Determination(combination of skills, knowledge & beliefs)

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

When your youth feels some control=Success for All

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.

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)

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?

Ways We Can Beginand Continue to Foster the Development of Self-Awarenessand Self-AdvocacySkills

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 Your child’s involvement in the IEP

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

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

Name: Date: • My Strengths • My Interests • My Preferences • My Needs

Name: Zachary Brown Date: March 2011 • My Strengths • My Interests • Organized • Patient • Working with children • Track • Swimming • Football Manager • Music • Video games • Fun with friends • Pray with others • Teaching children • My Needs • My Preferences • 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

I Like To • Accommodations that Work Verbal Praise Recycling Delivering the Paper Augmentative Communication System Stocking at Wal-Mart Shopping Joe Marks • In the Future I Want To Attend Senior Breakfast Attend Homecoming Parade Graduate at the Siegel Center Attend Prom Attend Senior Picnic

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.

Student-led IEPsStudent Participation in IEPs

The Parent’s Dream….

LINDAMY 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

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”

ZACHHOW the i’mdetermined 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

LINDAHow has the i’mdetermined project helped me to support Zach Self-Advocacy and Self-Awareness Skills ? • As a parent, the i’mdetermined project has helped me to support Zach by providing both of us opportunities throughi’mdetermined Youth/Parent Summits…… • Most Important *the testimonies shared by the i’mdetermined youth • Tools/Workshops • Encouragement • Resource/Community Agencies • Networking • Fellowship/meet with families that have a youth with a disability • Support

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? __________________________

It’s Their Future: Self-Awareness and Self-Advocacy