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Self Advocacy

Boy in costume with a megaphone

What is Self-Advocacy and why is it important?

Self-advocacy means being able to talk to others about your needs, challenges, and what helps you. It’s about speaking up for yourself rather than waiting for someone else to do it for you. This is a really important skill if you want to become more independent. It might take time to develop, but it’s never too soon to start practicing!

How to get better at Self-Advocating:

  • Talk about your strengths and challenges. It's okay to understand and talk about what’s hard for you. You might talk about it with your parents or caregivers, or maybe use pictures or other tools if talking is tricky.
  • Think about what makes you feel successful and comfortable, whether it’s at home or at school. What helps you focus? What do you need to feel good in different places?
  • Talk to the important people in your life about what they think will help you do your best. This includes teachers, family members, or anyone who supports you.
  • Decide who you want to tell about your diagnosis or challenges. It’s important to know who it’s helpful to share this with and when.
  • Plan out how you would explain your diagnosis or communication needs. You can practice with your parents or caregivers to make sure you feel confident.
  • Practice asking for help. Think about different situations and how you might ask for what you need.
  • Learn when it might be helpful to share your challenges and when it might not be. For example, it might not always be safe to tell strangers online.
  • Make sure the people around you (teachers, family, coaches, friends' parents) create a space where you feel safe to practice asking for help and speaking up for yourself.
  • Encourage your school to celebrate differences and promote inclusion for everyone.

The goal is to give you the skills you need to advocate for yourself in the future. Whether it’s in college, work, or any other part of your life, being able to speak up and share what you need is a huge part of being successful.
 
It’s also important to know that no matter how you communicate—whether with words, pictures, writing, or sign language—you can advocate for yourself in the way that feels best for you.

Some Ways to Practice Self-Advocacy:

Talking Mats: This tool can help you figure out what you like, what’s easy, what’s hard, or what helps you. You can make a Talking Mat at home with just pictures or drawings.
Social Interaction Talking Mats image

Advice For Children and Young People - Self Advocacy - Communication Passport

  • Communication Passport: This is a way to share information about yourself with others. It might include what you like, how you communicate best, and what can help you. You can create one with your parents and share it with people who need to understand you better. You can see an example of what this might look like and possible things to include on this My Communication Passport link.
  • DLD and Me: If you have Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), this DLD and Me book link has activities that can help you practice self-advocacy and learn how to talk about your needs.

By practicing these skills, you’ll be ready to speak up and get the support you need at school, with friends, and in the world around you.
Last updated22 Jan 2025