SELF-DETERMINAT ION

SELF-DETERMINATION
This evening we'll be discussing self determination with a view on the abled and disabled.



WHAT IS SELF DETERMINATION?

Self determination is believing you can control your own destiny. Self-determination is a combination of attitudes and abilities that lead people to set goals for themselves, and to take
the initiative to reach these goals.
It is about being in charge, but is
not necessarily the same thing as
self-sufficiency or
independence.


It means making your own
choices, learning to effectively
solve problems, and taking
control and responsibility for
one's life. Practicing self-
determination also means one
experiences the consequences of
making choices.
DEVELOPING SELF-DETERMINATION SKILLS
The development of self-

determination skills is a process
that begins in childhood and
continues throughout one's life.
Self-determinat ion is important
for all people, but it is especially
important, and often more
difficult to learn for young people
with disabilities.
Well- meaning individuals
sometimes "protect" children
with disabilities by making all
their decisions for them. Also,
sometimes people assume that
people with disabilities can't
think for themselves.
Self-determinat ion involves
many attitudes and abilities
including:
1. Self-awareness
2. Assertiveness
3. Creativity
4. Pride
5. Problem solving and
7. Self-advocacy skills.
To take charge of your own life,
you must be able to:
1. Set goals
2. Evaluate options
3. Make choices
and then
5. Work to achieve your goals.
Since self-determinat ion skills
are most effectively learned and
developed by practicing them,
students with disabilities should
be given ample opportunity to
use their
1. Self-advocacy,
2. Decision- making and
3. Socialization skills
well before they leave high
school to prepare themselves for
working and living in their
community.
MENTORING
Older and more experienced
adults with disabilities can play a
helpful role in this process not
only by serving as role models,
but by working actively and
directly with youth as mentors.
By sharing the experiences and
strategies that led to their own
successful employment and
independence, mentors can help guide youth through a challenging transition period, offer problem-solving advice on issues that parents lack direct experience with (or that youth may be reluctant to discuss openly with their parents), and provide needed encouragement. Many agencies offer mentoring programs that match youth with an adult mentor.


One of them is
http://facebook.com/thebestnichein100



 Some specifically focus on youth with disabilities. Investigate what programs may be available in your community by checking with Independent Living Centers for People with disabilities, parent centers in your state, community agencies such as:


YMCAs,
YWCAs,
Boys' Clubs
Girls" Clubs programs, 
State vocational rehabilitation agencies.

 I am of the opinion that in every disability there is an ability.


FAMILY SUPPORT

Families can provide support for their young adults with disabilities in the development of self-determination skills. Parents can help prepare their young adults with disabilities by giving them a growing number of opportunities to make their own decisions. Families should also provide their teenager with opportunities to explore employment, housing options, and community recreation programs in their community by utilizing their own network of relatives and friends, as well as formal service systems. Most importantly, families should prepare themselves to accept their child in his or her new adult role and allow their adult children to take an active role in the decisions that will determine their future even if it means allowing them to make mistakes.

 Self-determination is a combination of skills, knowledge, and beliefs that enable a person to engage in goal-directed, self- regulated, autonomous behavior. An understanding of one's strengths and limitations together with a belief in oneself as capable and effective are essential to self-determination. When acting on the basis of these skills and attitudes, individuals have greater ability to take control of their lives and assume the role of successful adults. (Field, S., Martin, J., Miller, R., Ward, M., & Wehmeyer, M., Self-determination for persons with disabilities: "A position statement of the division on career development and transition,"Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 21(2), 113-128.) Gaining control over your life involves learning and then successfully applying a number of self-determination skills, such as goal setting, understanding your abilities and disabilities, problem solving, and self- advocacy. The personal process of learning, using, and self- evaluating these skills in a variety of settings is at the heart of self- determination.