How You Can Support Self-Advocacy in School

• Help young people know their strengths, preferences and needs. This is the first step towards knowing what to advocate for.
• Use a total communication approach. This provides the opportunity for young people to know what their preferred communication style is. You can document this within a communication passport which young people can take ownership of.
• Provide regular opportunities for choice making. This helps practice decision-making skills through simple decisions throughout their day.
• Use visual supports such as objects of reference, pictures and social stories to support students to remember information and processes which will be important for life after school.
• Practice scenarios, like asking a teacher for help, in a safe and supportive setting. This helps young people gain confidence and rehearse what they want to say.
• Collaborate with families to model and reinforce advocacy behaviours at home and create a supportive network for the student.
• Encourage participation in social clubs, group activities, or community events. This provides natural opportunities to practice communication skills in different settings and build confidence.