The document discusses the importance of encouraging self-advocacy skills in children. It defines self-advocacy as speaking for oneself and advocating for one's wants, needs and desires. Self-advocacy is important as it gives children a voice, encourages self-reliance and reduces feelings of helplessness. As a parent, it is important to encourage self-advocacy by listening to children, providing opportunities for independence with guidance, and respecting their choices to help foster self-confidence and independence over time.

1. The Importance of
Encouraging Self-
Advocacy Skills In Your
Child
… A PARENT’S ROLE
Janelle R. Duttenhoffer
Child and Parent Advocate

2. Self-Advocacy
 What is self-advocacy?
 Speaking for myself.
 Advocating for my wants, needs, and desires.
 Having my voice heard.
 Who needs and benefits from it?
 Everyone … especially our children.
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3. Self-Advocacy
 Why is self-advocacy important?
 It gives a voice to inner thoughts and desires.
 Encourages self-reliance and self-determination.
 Encourages ownership of one’s actions.
 Maturity increases.
 Reduces frustration, fear, and anger.
 Reduces the sense of helplessness and hopelessness.
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4. Self-Advocacy
 What role does self-advocacy play in my
child’s/teenager’s life?
 A very important role!
 When the parent isn’t there, e.g., school, the child/teenager can
speak for himself/herself.
 During the school years, the child/teenager can share with
teachers, audiologists, speech/language therapists, aides, and
anyone in the school setting, what works and does not work in the
classroom.
 Self-advocacy and self-determination are interdependent.
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5. Self-Advocacy
 What are the key elements of self-advocacy?
 Communication
 Ability to articulate a clear message
 Respectful interactions
 Void of emotion
 Good listening skills
 Self-awareness
 Knowing/recognizing one’s strengths as well as areas of challenge
 Awareness of how the deafness/hearing loss specifically impacts the child/teenager socially,
emotionally, and academically.
 Knowledge of …
 Laws/Rights
 Education system, e.g., IEPs, accommodations, specially designed instruction (age appropriate)
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6. Self-Advocacy
 How can I, as a parent, encourage self-advocacy?
 Listen to what your child/teenager is sharing, e.g., desires,
frustrations, funny things, activities she/he enjoys, subjects in
school she/he likes, how she/he learns most easily.
 Look for opportunities to encourage independence.
 Provide support/advice on how to approach a situation.
 Give your child/teenager the opportunity to solve a challenge
without your direct intervention, but with your guidance.
 Respect your teenager’s choices.
 Every “try” is a success.
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7. Self-Advocacy
As a parent, where do I begin?
 As a parent, where do I begin or how do I continue to support with my
child/teenager’s self-advocacy skills?
 Ask yourself: Am I ready to let go?
 Allow your child to make choices in situations where you normally are the decision
maker.
 Always look for ways and/or opportunities for your child/teenager to take on more
responsibility that is age appropriate.
 Expect the new-found self-advocacy skills to be used in communicating with you!
 Take advantage of every opportunity you have to listen first and share second.
 Lastly, breathe, and enjoy the ride!
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8. Self-Advocacy fosters self-confidence.
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9. Self-Advocacy is a life-long activity
taken in incremental steps.
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10. “The greatest gifts you can give
your children are the roots of
responsibility and the wings of
independence.”
Denis Waitley
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11. Many thanks!
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