1. Self-Advocacy: Planning For Success Utilizing A Self-Assessment Inventory
Diane Berzins, M.Ed., Faculty
Pam Morel, M.A., C.Psych.Assoc.
Cambrian College
May, 2009

2. Let’s see if these Clickers work?
Which is your favourite movie?
Clicker

3. Favorite Movie?
Casino Royale
Titanic
Star Wars
Sixth Sense

4. Outline Developing Self-Advocacy The importance of Self-Determination
Self-Assessment Inventory

5. Self Advocacy is… Taking control of your life
Speaking up for your needs
Making your own choices
Part of self-determination

6. Effective Self-Advocates
Know themselves
Know their rights
Value themselves
Know what they need
Know how to get it
Experience outcomes and learn
Adjust and try again

7. Self Advocacy is essential for students with LD
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

8. Successful Adults With Learning Disabilities
The key element to their success was the degree to which they had gained control of their own lives
(Reiff, Gerber, and Ginsberg,1997)
Had control over
Internal decisions (self-determined)
Response to external reality (self-advocates)

9. Students with LD have more difficulty with Self-Determination
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

10. Learned Helplessness Belief that past failure predicts future failure
Stop trying or give very little effort without “handholding”
Students with LD are high risk due to:
History of repeated failure
Being provided with too much “help”
sends the message they are not capable

11. What % of students do you see with Learned Helplessness?
0-20%
20-40%
40-60%
60-80%
80-100%

12. What is Self-Determination?
Self knowledge
Ability to make decisions
Ability to solve problems
Ability to set goals and attain them
Self-evaluation skills
Internal locus of control
Brinckerhoff, L.C. et.al (2002) Postsecondary Education and Transition for Students with Learning Disabilities

13. How do you enhance self-determination in your students?
Role model self-determination
Provide opportunity for choices
Provide necessary tools and services
Develop self-awareness
Develop problem solving skills

14. Components of Self-Determination
Know yourself
Value yourself
Plan
Act
Experience outcomes and learn
Hoffman,A. (2003)

15. A Self Assessment Inventory
Planning for Success:
Accommodations, Learning Strategies & Assistive Technology that work for me
A Self-Assessment Inventory
2003 edition - legacy of the LOTF
Current 2009 revision linked to CCDI - LD Resource Guide

16. Guides a 3 Step Process of Self-Discovery
Identifying Academic Challenges and Processing Strengths & Difficulties
Creating a Plan For Success
Accommodations
Learning strategies
Assistive technology
Creating a Plan for Success
Using your Strengths

17. Step 1 - Executive Functioning: Do you have Difficulty…
Breaking down tasks
Keeping track of appointments
Monitoring your own progress
Organizing your activities
Understanding how you learn

18. Step 2 - Executive Functioning Plan For Success
Accommodations
Tutoring (beyond what is normally available)
Learning Strategies Training
Assistive Technology Training
Orientation Programs
Copies of notes from peer note-taker or faculty
Clarification of Assignments from faculty
Access to computers with organizational software
Etc.

19. Plan for Success (continued)
Learning Strategies
Strategies for breaking complex tasks into smaller steps
Short term goal setting
Step-by-step guidelines and procedures
Etc.
Strategies for planning and organization
Master calendar of important assignments, tests, events
Structures and routines (detailed time tables, schedules)
Strategies for self-monitoring and tracking details
Checklists of tasks to be completed in specific timeframes
Maintain an agenda

20. Plan for Success (continued)
Assistive Technology
Technology for general planning and organization
Electronic organizers
Computer organizational systems
Etc.
Technology for structuring written assignments
Organizational software
Assignment calculator
Technology for self-monitoring written accuracy
Editing software with auditory feedback

21. Step 3 - Plan for Success: Using Your Strengths
Using organizational software
Being the organizer of presentation or study groups
Creating detailed timelines for your assignments and study times
Taking time to evaluate your own progress to determine if changes are necessary to reach your goals
Selecting programs which capitalize on Executive Functioning strengths

22. Using Plan for Success: Self Advocacy in Action
IPLAN
I – Inventory (Complete self-assessment)
P – Provide Inventory Information (Create Plan for Success)
L – Listen and Respond (Discuss with Disability Service Provider)
A – Ask questions (Request services & training)
N – Name your goals (Use choices, evaluate and adjust)
VanDeusen, Bos, Schumaker, Deshler (1994)

23. Case Studies Guiding the process of self discovery for:
Reading Comprehension
Visual – Motor Coordination
Verbal Expression

24. Discussion Inventory Self-Discovery Process
Advantages
Disadvantages

25. Do you think this Inventory could help your students?
Yes No

26. Questions?
Thanks
Pam and Diane

27. References
LD Resource guide (2008)
Hoffman,A. (2003)
Brinckerhoff, L.C. et.al (2002). Postsecondary Education and Transition for Students with Learning Disabilities.
Reiff, Gerber, and Ginsberg (1997). Exceeding Expectations.