1. Advocating for Ourselves
Mester Two, Week 6
Grade 9 Advisory
Arleta High School

2. 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…

3. 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:

4. 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!

5. Step 1
Recognize that academic success or failure is YOUR responsibility.

6. Step 2
Understand your abilities and areas of need and learn ways to compensate. Learn how to explain your needs to others.

7. Step 3
Develop good communication skills to request assistance and services.

8. 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!

9. Step 5
Know and understand your strengths and areas where you need to improve.
Be honest with yourself!

10. Step 6
Develop and use mature social and personal skills.

11. Step 7
Be organized! It relieves stress and demonstrates good planning ability.

12. 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!

13. 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.

14. 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:

15. 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!