To help a student with a developmental disability develop self-advocacy skills, what should the teacher implement?

Providing practice scenarios for advocating in various contexts is essential for helping a student with a developmental disability develop self-advocacy skills. Self-advocacy involves understanding one's own needs, rights, and the ability to express those needs and rights effectively. By creating realistic situations where the student can role-play or rehearse advocating for themselves, the teacher fosters situational awareness and confidence.

These practice scenarios allow the student to navigate different environments—such as school, home, or community settings—and learn how to communicate effectively in each context. This experiential learning approach builds the skills necessary for the student to identify what they require and to articulate that need to others, which is crucial for independence and personal growth.

Introducing self-advocacy practice at an early stage, rather than postponing it until high school or focusing solely on group dynamics without individual expression, ensures that the student has ample opportunity to practice and refine these skills in a supportive setting.