1 “Let me tell you the secret that led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.” Louis Pasteur Presented by: Susan Walter Statewide Transition Consultant Illinois State Board of Education

Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, Field, S., Hoffman, A. & Spezia, S. (1998) Self-Determination Strategies for Adolescents in Transition. Austin, TX: PRO-ED, Inc.

 Self-determination refers to the natural desire of most people to be in personal control of their own thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project,

› Begins shortly after birth and continues throughout life. › Determined by the skills, beliefs and attitudes, and knowledge as well as opportunities to exercise personal control. › All persons have the desire and are capable of some degree of self-determination. Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project,

 The 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) clearly supports students’ independence, self- management, and self-determination. 5 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 Students are team members  Active participation by students  Student strengths, preferences and interests 6 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

7 Self-Determination Skills  Goal Setting  Decision Making  Problem Solving  Self-Regulation  Self- Advocacy  Independent Living  Social  Communication Self-Determination Knowledge  Laws & Rights  System & Its Resources  Self-Awareness  Responsibilities Self-Determination Attitudes & Beliefs  Self-Confidence  Internal Locus of Control  Determination  Self-Esteem Self-Determination

 Increases motivation  Encourages socially acceptable behavior  Promotes self-awareness  Increases responsibility  Enhances learning  Encourages a sense of personal control 8 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 Enhances independence and interdependence  Improves self-esteem  Encourages individuals to create a vision  Enhances quality of life  Enhances inclusion  Promotes self-advocacy  Develops decision-making skills 9 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 Yes! › Skills and attitudes that lead to self-determination can be taught. › Skills to make arrangements in the atmosphere and environment of the school can be taught too.  Parents, teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists and other service providers all play important roles in developing or inhibiting self-determination during transition. 10 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 Teachers can: › Infuse skills training into their curriculum. › Promote a school and classroom environment that encourages self-determination.  Families can: › Provide opportunities and support for their adolescents to exercise self-determination. › Work with the school to encourage curriculum efforts and provide real-life experiences for practicing self- determination. 11 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 Counselors, psychologists, social workers, and other support services staff can: › Support a school climate that promotes self- determination. › Team with classroom teachers. › Incorporate instruction through their own departments.  Administrators can: › Establish self-determination as an important element of the school climate. › Support teachers through in-service opportunities. 12 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 Characteristics of environments that support and encourage self-determination include: › Availability of self-determined role models › Curriculum variables › Opportunities for choice › Patterns of response to student behaviors › Availability of student supports 13 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

14 Retrieved from 9/21/2009. Illinois PBIS Network. Supporting Student Self-Determination in an RtI World Self-Determination Skill Building IEP Transition Plan Person-CenteredAge-Appropriate Transition Assessment

15 James Baldwin “Nobody Knows My Name” (1961) Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 Teaching students about: › laws and rights › responsibilities  Creating awareness of: › the system and its resources › one’s needs, preferences and interests 16 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 “It’s My Life” › Student workbook – where I’m going and how I’m going to get there › Building self-confidence, internal locus of control and determination 17 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 Things that work for me › Things I want to spend more time doing › Things that make me happy › Things I like  Things that don’t work for me › Things I want to avoid › Things that make me mad › Things I don’t like 18 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 What I want to do when I finish high school › Living › Working › Continuing education › Having fun 19 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 What I want to do in school this year › Classes › Instruction › Community experience 20 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 Objectives I want to accomplish in school this year › Employment › Adult living › Daily living › Vocational abilities 21 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 What I need to be more successful in school this year › Teachers › Tests › Family › Other things 22 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 People I want to invite to participate in my IEP/ transition planning meeting › Family › School people › Agency people 23 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

24 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

25 Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

 Greeting and Purpose Statement  Introductions  Review of Performance  Team Input  Future Goals (for adult life)  Annual Goals  Supports Needed  Goals Summary  Review and Finalize Program  Conclude Meeting 26 Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“Welcome to my meeting. Today we are going to plan for my program for the next year.” 27 Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“My name is ________________ and I am a student at ________________. “I’d like to introduce ____________.” OR “Please introduce yourselves.” 28 Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“Things that have worked well for me this year are _____________________ _____________________________________ ____________________________________.” “Things that haven’t work very well for me are __________________________ ________________________________ ______________________________.” 29 Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“Does anyone want to comment on how my school program has been going?” -- NOTE TO STUDENT: Ask questions if you don’t understand something that is said. 30 Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“When I finish high school, I want to _________________________________________ _________________________________________.” “Any questions or comments?” 31 Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“This year in school I want to _________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________.” “Any questions or comments?” 32 Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“For me to be successful in school this year I need _________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________.” “Any questions or comments?” 33 Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“In summary, my future plans are to __________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.” “For me to make progress toward these goals, I will do these things this year __________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.” 34 Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“The things that need to be in my program to help me succeed are _______________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________.” “Does anyone have anything they want to say about my program?” NOTE TO STUDENT: Discuss differences and agree on final program. 35 Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

“Thank you all for coming to my meeting.” “This year I am going to work hard to accomplish my goals.” “I appreciate your help!” 36 Adapted from Martin, et al., 1998 Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

37 Certificate of Completion is hereby granted to: _____________________________ to certify successful training in Self-Directed IEP Transition Planning ___________________________________ ( Name, Title. Date) Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.

38 Curriculum Resources Susan Walter, Illinois State Board of Education through an OSEP funded grant, TOTAL Project, 2003.