Welcome to the January 23nd edition of #ATchat. Snuggle up with your coffee, a blanket and your laptop/tablet as we discuss a topic we haven't addressed before - Self advocacy/self determination.
Interested to learn more about Ed Roberts? Here's a link to some bio information. He was born on this day and this makes our topic tonight even more meaningful. #ATchathttps://t.co/5vLUHlVn1I
Hey now #ATchat Excited for our topic tonight>special thx to @wernedat for leading the discussion. I will be in/out of the chat. Teaching my first class tonight at Ramapo College NJ. #EDSP640 AT/UDL Hopefully, some of my Ss will join us in coming weeks
Was really looking forward to this topic but am feeling a bit under the weather. Will catch up on it tomorrow. Self determination allows one to embrace their differences and understand how/why certain things help them. #atchat
Then advocacy allows them to share what they have found with other who may also benefit while providing that personal prospective that is often missed by those who suggest technology but may not have personally used it #atchat
Thanks @KarenJan - welcome all - I am Elisa, an OT and AT Specialist from Florida. For those of you headed to #ATIA19 just want you to know it’s gonna about 70 degrees this time next week in orlando #ATchat
Thank you so much for facilitating this topic tonight. Hope to have many join us and discuss an important consideration for those of use who work in this field. #ATchat
Q1: How do you define Self-Advocacy and in your eyes how is it different from Self-Determination? Note: I'll be using SA/SD as short codes from here on out for characters sake.
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Here is one way to break down the skills involved in self-advocacy. (alt text: graphic of self-advocacy that breaks it down into self-awareness, knowledge of rights, communication, and leadership, with items under each) #atchat
a1 starting with the tough ones...
i'll keep thinking on this, but at first glance i'd say self-advocacy is the active process of fighting for the right to self-determination
it's also a collective political movement fighting for ALL people's self-determination #ATchat
A1: Self-Advocacy 4 a student is being able to participate & take CHARGE of their own learning by seeking resources, asking a lot of questions & finding independence #ATchat Self determination 4 students could be more of taking control of what they have to work with.
a1 starting with the tough ones...
i'll keep thinking on this, but at first glance i'd say self-advocacy is the active process of fighting for the right to self-determination
it's also a collective political movement fighting for ALL people's self-determination #ATchat
a1 starting with the tough ones...
i'll keep thinking on this, but at first glance i'd say self-advocacy is the active process of fighting for the right to self-determination
it's also a collective political movement fighting for ALL people's self-determination #ATchat
Here is one way to break down the skills involved in self-advocacy. (alt text: graphic of self-advocacy that breaks it down into self-awareness, knowledge of rights, communication, and leadership, with items under each) #atchat
Was at a team meeting today and the student who we were meeting about asked her 1:1 instructional assistant, "Who's speaking for me?" Great question - she was only 12 so was not at the meeting but should have had a chance to share her voice. #ATchat
A1- In my experience, self advocacy is a little more about how one presents their needs to others. Self Determination is how a student takes care of their own needs-sometimes in spite of others. #atchat
Here is one way to break down the skills involved in self-advocacy. (alt text: graphic of self-advocacy that breaks it down into self-awareness, knowledge of rights, communication, and leadership, with items under each) #atchat
i wish students of all ages went to iep meetings, unless they don't want to of course, there should be other ways they can make suggestions/complaints to their team too besides meetings #ATchat
In CT our Transition Guideposts has SA and SD within them. They should be used to drive goals on IEPs for the transition goals. I always link goals to the guideposts. #ATChat
Right? We just need to ASK the student AFTER we thoroughly explain what IEP means and how it represents their own learning. Let's just ASK or I'm going out on the limb and say: require S participation. #Atchat How many Ss do u think have no clue about an IEP?
a2 as a young adult, i most needed agency over where i lived, who i lived with, who supported me, and i needed access to programs like food stamps and free clinics that enabled me to make the choices i wanted to for my health #ATchat
I am presenting a session at #atia19 called iPad vs Chromebook: The 10 Round Main Event. We will have 10 educational tasks, complete them on each device, audience will determine a winner! Have an idea for a task? Leave it on the @flipgridhttps://t.co/SxgZDcU1do#ATchat
a2 self-advocacy and self-determination as well as my quality of life would have been improved in my young adulthood if i had had a diagnosis, understood myself better, had aac, been connected to the wider autistic community #ATchat
Q2 as a SWD and Sp. Ed. Teacher it changes. The role one plays to SA becomes much more active once you move off an IEP and into the college level #DisabledAndProud#ATChat
i would discourage requiring student participation - the right to say no is a crucial part of self-determination! but definitely require that the adults in charge offer the chance to the student :) #ATchat
a2 self-advocacy and self-determination as well as my quality of life would have been improved in my young adulthood if i had had a diagnosis, understood myself better, had aac, been connected to the wider autistic community #ATchat
I like the idea of teaching students about their IEP. And especially the idea of including goals in words that students can understand... I wonder if that is something that could be always included... the goal- then the student worded goal?
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We make a “cheat sheet” for my students, and go over what they “really mean” in between all the fancy words and jargon. But I believe it should be that way for all goals. For everyone’s sake! #atchat
...and this is why Universal Design for Learning classroom environment plays such an important role for ALL students. #Atchat Ss don't have to wait 4 a diagnosis but have access in ways that allows independence with high expectations and appropriate accommodations based on NEEDS.
haha no the only good thing that came of my schooling is that i was allowed to escape (graduate lol) early :D
i became an unschooler after that (self-directed education) which is BIG on self-determination, way more what i needed than what i'd got in public school #ATchat
SA class is taught for students to understand what SA is and acquire the skill, but it looks slightly different for each student. So specific situations regarding when and how to or not to SA core #ATChat
My concern about self-advocacy is the unequal relationship between student and teacher. Students may be reluctant to self-advocate as they are dependent on teachers for grades/feedback, etc. Anyone else think this is an issue?
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For students who need symbol based supports to advocate in an emergency or crisis situation…the @nationalautism center & @n2yinc have worked together to build a free SymbolStix-supported version of NAA’s Personal Emergency Profile. https://t.co/R310GF7O17 free download #ATChat
hmm, good q... i think it would have necessitated the professional field being more competent at correctly identifying autistic youth
and then not stopping at dx but offering a wide range of supports to choose between, and meeting peers/mentors/local self-advocacy groups #ATchat
A2: A2: coming from a secondary MDS perspective, The communicationbill of rights is the center of my pedagogy for self-advocacy/self determination #ATchat
a3 i don't have a ton of input on this one, my main thought is just to never underestimate someone based on age - everyone has skills and strengths and competences and, more important, human rights
every child deserves respect and freedom #ATchat
This is something to be open about with the student and to discuss different options for whom you should advocate to. If the student starts by going to someone where there is parity, it’s still SA. There’s always a starting place. #ATChat
A3- I think allowing students choice from an early age is key. If they are communicating "no" through words or actions, respect that. Offer options and choice and control in areas you can. #atchat
He was there (he is 17) and a junior, so a lot of focus on post-HS and what that looks like for him. We talked about increasing self-advocacy and working during SLP/groups on social stories/scripts on how to approach teachers and adults in a respectful way #atchat
definitely! formal education is usually hierarchal and enacts anti-youth ageism in every way. there can be consequences for trying to stand up to yourself when adults have more power than you! #ATchat
My concern about self-advocacy is the unequal relationship between student and teacher. Students may be reluctant to self-advocate as they are dependent on teachers for grades/feedback, etc. Anyone else think this is an issue?
#ATchat
This was also his 3 year, so discussing with him ahead of time his test results & asking for his feedback & opinion during the meeting was key. They really listened to what he wants to do and offered suggestions (classes, supports) to help get him where he wants to be #atchat
This was also his 3 year, so discussing with him ahead of time his test results & asking for his feedback & opinion during the meeting was key. They really listened to what he wants to do and offered suggestions (classes, supports) to help get him where he wants to be #atchat
A4- I think allowing a student to be the 'expert' in their AT can be key. They after all are the day to day user. Let them show you, show their peers, teach their teachers. #atchat
a4 make sure aac users have access to relevant vocabulary! learning how to say "no" is crucial for self-determination as well as basic safety and quality of life
if we have no way to refuse, you're not getting actual consent from us when we agree to do what you want #ATchat
A4 it may sound silly, but for my Ss I use reminders and mindfulness apps. Part of the challenge is getting over the fear and remembering/setting the time aside to do a less preferred/comfortable thing #atchat
Show them and then let them explore and learn. Even if they only know one piece of it, they know more than most of their peers and teachers. Let them show! #atchat
Student-centered being more of the entire process of the learning, participation, collaboration, strengths, thinking and T feedback based on that as a whole- rather than just the dependency of a strict grading scale of "end product." #Atchat
a4 for aac users with more comprehensive communication skills, make sure we have the vocab to discuss policy (of our schools/institutions/cities/countries) and what is happening in the world around us
self-advocacy is not just about individuals but about all of us #ATchat
A2) Self Advocacy for young adults is being able to communicate with teachers, counselors and administrators about what they need from them in order to succeed. #atchat
Sorry all but I have to drive home from NH to MA. I'll catch up once I am home in about an hour. This is an important conversation and I am thankful @wernedat is willing to facilitate it. TY all for joining. There are three more questions planned with additional resources #ATchat
A4: I am piggy backing off of this answer: AND making sure Ss have a mode of communications EVERY single second of the day. Removing that AAC/multi-modal communication in any moment is liking removing one's vocal chords We do NOT do that. #Atchat
a4 please also make sure we know how to integrate our aac with options like fax, email, phone - so we have a way to contact senators and our benefits agencies and etc etc
(access to text relay services is an additional option) #ATchat
a5 heh well not being a pro i have no idea for formal options for this, but i'd say never forget to ask the AT user directly (in a format they'll be able to answer - open ended, yes/no, aided input, etc etc) #ATchat
A5 Resource-Here is a link to a shared set of assessments and resources that I have found useful. https://t.co/Rcs5EjVi1M#ATchat please share yours and we can add to this...
A3) Self advocacy and self determination need to be taught to younger students. It can also be modeled for them. An example would be if a child wants to learn how to play basketball, they can express that desire and ask for help. #atchat
so glad it’s helpful stuff. There’s no way we would have touched on all this stuff in an hour, and I wanted everyone to have all the everything! #atchat This was my compromise to myself!
I really cannot count how many times I’ve been asked to weigh in on an AT/AAC decision “based on testing” & I’ve replied, “well when I asked the student, they said...” It is often overlooked. #ATchat
#atchat hate to miss tonight’s great topic! Busy planning a tech playground for teachers at Friday’s PD. Our teachers get to experience the exhibit below and PD on the science of reading. Love how the students featured are advocating for themselves and others.
"Beautiful Minds - Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage" is now open in SMO's smART Space galleries. This exhibit illuminates many misconceptions of dyslexia and empowers those who have this common learning difference. https://t.co/WZkWt0IC8Y
a6 oops i basically already answered this
i guess random additional thought = offer time with adult aac users who have built self-advocacy skills over their life and can naturally model that as mentors #ATchat
A6: I’ve recentlybeen thinking I should do better about telling my clients using AAC that they can ask for wait time. A lot of the text based AAC options have a message built in but not necessarily the symbol based options. #atchat
A7: model and teach rejecting, refusing, giving REAL opinions (not what adults want to hear). Validate and accept all communication, whether you as the adult ‘want’ to hear it or not. Allow student autonomy #ATchat
on core based, or in LAMP/Unity, where would you suggest that request (or SA or SD) info as a whole be programmed in (with the user’s ok, of course…) #atchat
that's true. it can be helpful for us to have a button that immediately speaks something like "please be patient while i type my words" without interrupting the sentence we're building in the speak window
so if people are rushing us we can stand up for ourselves #ATchat
It's an issue, & not just in the classroom. Ppl w/ disabilities are usually in an unequal power relationship when we need to self-advocate. The unbalanced power is still hard for me to navigate. That's why I feel so strongly about helping Ss practice in the classroom! #ATchat
Chiming in with a resource after missing most of the chat. Person-centered planning is a way to help individuals with disabilites play an important role in planning their IEP or supports https://t.co/WfZpJXsXqc#atchat
my symbol based program is HUGE so i'm not sure where i would put it in someone else's, but i have a button like that in my "my communication" folder - i get to that from my general "about me" folder
contains other stuff explaining my device, how to interact w me, etc #ATchat
100% agree. There are some PCP resources in the Inventory/Informal Assessments folder in the google drive (bit./ly/atchatSA) but I love facilitating PATHs! #ATchat
yep i use proloquo4text as one of my apps and it has a great "quick talk" buttons field that i use for things like that and basic interactions i want to be able to say quickly in everyday settings - hello, how are you, thanks, have a good day - customer service stuff lol #ATchat
A7: everyone has something to say and a right to say it, regardless of disability; LISTEN!!! All stakeholders need to be part of the team with Individual @ center and leading. #ATchat
Yep, one of the high school students I used to work with had PLQ4text & she put her “be patient” message in the quick talk buttons & used it often. #ATChat
@VickiBostonSLP I had a student who could program all on his own, which was great, but he put “shut up now” on that button, so, thus came a lesson on socially appropriate language to adults :)#ATchat
