Teaching your child to be a Self-Advocate
As a parent or educator, one of the most valuable skills you can teach a child with dyslexia is how to advocate for themselves. Self-advocacy is empowering, giving them the confidence to express their needs, seek support, and take control of their learning journey. Here's how you can help guide a child in becoming their own advocate.
1. Help Them Understand Their Rights
Start by teaching your child or student about their rights within the education system. Explain laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which protect students with learning differences like dyslexia. Help them understand:
They Have the Right to Accommodations: Whether it’s extra time on tests, access to audiobooks, or special reading programs, these accommodations are in place to help them succeed.
Their Voice Matters: Empower them to know that their input is important when discussing their education and what support they need.
Knowing their rights builds a strong foundation for self-advocacy.
2. Encourage Them to Know Themselves and Their Needs
Self-advocacy starts with self-awareness. Help your child identify their strengths and challenges, and teach them how to express their needs clearly. Encourage them to ask questions like:
What Are My Strengths?: Help them recognize what they excel at, like creative thinking, problem-solving, or verbal communication. Building confidence in their strengths will motivate them to speak up for themselves.
What Are My Challenges?: Guide them in understanding where they may need extra help, such as decoding words, organizing writing, or reading fluency.
What Do I Need?: Teach them to clearly express their needs. For example, they might need extra time on tests or support from a reading specialist.
Understanding themselves allows them to communicate what they need in a confident and clear manner.
3. Teach Effective Communication Skills
Good communication is essential for self-advocacy. Teach your child how to express their needs respectfully and assertively. Some ways to help them develop these skills include:
Practice “I” Statements: Encourage them to use phrases like, "I need extra time to finish my work," or "I feel frustrated when I can’t keep up with reading."
Role-Playing: Practice conversations with teachers, specialists, or classmates so they can become comfortable discussing their needs. This can be especially helpful before important meetings or discussions.
Active Listening: Teach them the importance of listening to others, too. This creates a two-way conversation and helps them engage in discussions about their learning.
By developing strong communication skills, your child will be more confident and effective in speaking up.
4. Build a Support Network
Encourage your child to lean on trusted adults and peers when needed. A strong support network is crucial for self-advocacy. Help them identify who they can go to for help:
Teachers and Specialists: Encourage them to reach out to teachers, reading specialists, or counselors when they need academic support or accommodations.
Friends and Classmates: Teach them that they can rely on their friends for emotional support and encouragement when things feel challenging.
Parents and Family: Help them understand that their family is always there to help guide and support them in advocating for their needs.
A reliable support network can boost their confidence and empower them to advocate more effectively.
5. Encourage Them to Advocate in Everyday Situations
Self-advocacy isn’t just for IEP meetings or school accommodations; it’s a skill they can use daily. Encourage your child to practice self-advocacy in various situations:
Speaking Up in Class: Encourage them to ask questions if they don’t understand something or if they need clarification on an assignment. Help them feel comfortable in advocating for themselves in the classroom.
Requesting Accommodations: Teach them how to request accommodations, such as extra time on tests or alternative learning materials, when necessary.
Giving Feedback: Empower them to share what’s working and what’s not. If a certain teaching method isn’t helping, encourage them to let their teacher know and suggest alternative strategies.
The more they practice advocating for themselves in everyday situations, the more confident they will become.
6. Reinforce the Importance of Reflection and Learning
After advocating for themselves, encourage your child to reflect on how the situation went. This is an important part of learning and growing as a self-advocate. Ask them to think about:
What Went Well?: Help them identify what they did right and praise them for taking steps to speak up for themselves.
What Could Be Improved?: Gently guide them to think about areas where they could improve, like being more specific about their needs or asking for help earlier.
Seek Feedback: Encourage them to ask their teacher or another adult for feedback on how they communicated and if there are ways to improve.
Reflection helps them learn from their experiences and become more effective advocates in the future.
7. Creating a Supportive Environment
Creating a supportive environment at home is essential to help your child feel comfortable speaking openly with you about their experiences with dyslexia. Encourage open dialogue by letting them know they can come to you with any concerns, frustrations, or questions, without fear of judgment. Validate their feelings by acknowledging their challenges, and remind them that it's okay to feel frustrated or overwhelmed. When they share their thoughts, listen actively and empathetically, offering reassurance and understanding. By fostering a trusting relationship where they feel heard and supported, you'll build their confidence and encourage them to express their needs, which is a key step in becoming a self-advocate.
Teaching your child to be a self-advocate is one of the most empowering gifts you can give them. By guiding them to understand their rights, know their needs, communicate effectively, and build a support network, you are equipping them with lifelong skills that will help them navigate school and beyond. Remember, self-advocacy is a skill that grows over time—practice and encouragement will help them find their voice and advocate for themselves with confidence and pride.