Self Advocacy

As a single mom, one of the things I tried very hard to teach all of my boys was to advocate for themselves. 

I feel that this is one of the most important skills to have when it comes to being independent.

When Colton was diagnosed with his disabilities, that drive in me only intensified.

I knew that Colton would have to learn how to do this on his own.

How did I do this?
Throughout Elementary School and Junior High School, I made sure he was in every single meeting that I had with his "team."

I made sure he was in every IEP meeting.

I made sure that when the adults were talking, they were talking to him - not about him.

I made sure that if he had questions or concerns, he was able to articulate those to the best of his ability.

His first year of high school, last year, was a good starting point.

I attended his IEP WITH him, rather than him attending with me.

I made sure that he had every say in his schedule that all neuro-typical kids would have.

This year, his junior year, I have put all of the responsibility on him.

He has carried it very well.

He communicates with Mike and I daily on how he is doing, how he is feeling, his frustrations, his confusion, his set-backs, etc.

Then we talk to him about what he needs to do.

We ask him what he thinks will help his situation.

(the answer is almost always that he needs to have a conversation with his teacher and ask the teacher questions so that he understands what is expected of him)

Then, we trust him to do it.

And he has been.

He has been scheduling meetings with his teachers and attending those.

He is asking questions and getting answers, then following through on them.

This is HARD for Colton.

As it should be.

He is learning to be very independent and we are so proud of him.

Disabilities are not excuses in our home.

A disability is not a reason to not be doing your best.

You still have a best and you can still do it.

I have always made dang sure that Colton has the resources that are his to have.

I have always made dang sure that the teachers and administrators are aware of him.

I have also always made dang sure that Colton is challenged, supported, and challenged some more.

Colton can do hard things.

I know this because I've watched him do hard things.

Disabilities are not reason to not challenge ourselves or our children.