Supporting Self-Determination in Children and Youth with Disabilities

Educators, counselors, and other professionals play a key role in fostering self-determination. This involves building the skills and confidence to set goals, make decisions, solve problems, and take responsibility for one’s life.

To support self-determination, professionals can:

  • Encourage youth to make choices and experience the consequences.
  • Provide opportunities to explore employment, housing, and community activities.
  • Guide families in promoting independence while offering support.
  • Empower young adults to take an active role in planning their future.

By creating environments that promote self-advocacy and decision-making, professionals help youth develop the skills they need to lead fulfilling, self-directed lives.

Empower Youth with Disabilities Through the Youth Leadership Forum

Encourage youth with disabilities to join the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), a fun, weeklong summer program on a university campus. They will build leadership skills, set personal goals, and find helpful resources for their future. Through workshops, mentors, and activities, they will gain confidence, independence, and new friendships. This program helps them become strong leaders and self-advocates. Watch the video and visit the Youth Leadership Forum website to learn more!

Resources

Zarrow Institute Teachers Pay Teachers Resources
Explore Zarrow Institute’s free self-determination resources—empower students with skills for success, independence, and advocacy.
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Set Goals with Habitica
This free app makes setting goals and building good habits fun like a game!
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Youth in Transition: Self-Advocacy
Youth explain how they speak up at work, school, and with family.
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Students with Dyslexia Talk about Self-Advocacy
Kids talk about speaking up to get the support they need to do their best.
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Youth Leadership Forum
YLF is a cool program where youth with disabilities can learn how to be leaders!
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The Charting the LifeCourse Framework
These tools help students and families envision a good life and identify necessary supports.
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PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment
This website page from PACER has free downloads on many transition topics.
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What is Self-Determination?
Learn more about self-determination and self-advocacy in this short video.
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Parent Path to Success
These short videos show families how to support their child in their journey toward self-determination.
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Network of Care Service Directory from OK Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Get help with mental health, food, housing, and other services for you and your family.
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The Arc of Oklahoma
Find support, advocacy, and info for individuals with intellectual disabilities to live fully.
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