In this week’s post, I will examine two terms that are frequently used in our world: self-determination and self-advocacy. While they are sometimes interchanged within conversations, let’s examine what they mean individually, what components are the same, and what makes them stand apart.
Let’s start with: What are the definitions of Self-Determination and Self Advocacy?
From the Oxford English Dictionary:
Self Determination = the process by which a person controls their own life.
Self Advocacy = the action of representing oneself or one’s views or interests.
How are they the same? How are they different?
Although both words are nouns, it is the action that makes them different.
I like to think of self-determination with the analogy of life as a journey, and you need a plan, and self-determination is your plan. In order to have control over your own life, you need to have a plan to go by that is your own…..not your parents, not your teachers, not your peers. In reality, we all do not live in a bubble, so there are a variety of stakeholders within our lives that may help shape and impact our life plans. Still, to self-determine, you, the person, need to be the one “driving the bus” while your team is there to help you map out your journey and provide support when you break down or go off course.
The primary way to start your roadmap is by creating a person-centered plan. Transition assessments (both formal and informal) will provide you with the information you need to create this plan. Once you have this plan, you have a starting point for your self-advocacy.
While self-determination is creating your roadmap and plan, self-advocacy is the actual journey. To fulfill your goals in your plan, you will need to advocate for what you want. Even though it is called “self-advocacy,” your person does not need to do this alone. This is where their “circle of care” is invaluable. Your person needs to surround themselves with people who are not only there to support them on their journey but also to help them self-advocate by teaching them those skills, modeling them for them, and stepping in when needed.
In one way, both self-advocacy and self-determination involve the person being at the center of their life choices. In self-determination, the person maps out their life plan. By using person-centered planning, the person determines what they would like their future path to be, which is then used to create the goals and objectives in either the IEP or ISP.
In self-advocacy, the person actively conveys what they want, not what others want them to do. In order to self-advocate, you need to know what you are self-advocating for. If you have not identified a plan (self-determination), what are you self-advocating for? Therefore, you will often see self-advocacy as a component of a person’s self-determination plan.
You can’t do one without the other
After looking at the definitions of the 2, you really can’t do one without the other. If you are self-determined but don’t advocate for yourself, your dreams and mission will usually go unfulfilled. If you don’t have a plan, what are you advocating for?
Call to action:
- How can you support your person in creating their self-determination plan? What resources can the person use to help them create their plan?
- How can you support your person in self-advocating for themselves? What goals can you write into their IEP or ISP to support this?
Until next time,
Cheryl
Resources:
PACER Center National Parent Center on Transition and Employment website: Self Determination
Perkins Transition website: Self Determination and Transition Planning
#Life Without a Filter 