Introduction

Every student has unique learning, social-emotional, and sensory needs. In special education, it’s crucial that these needs are met to ensure success in the classroom. Sometimes, students may not have the tools or strategies they require, and it’s essential that they learn to speak up for themselves. This process of self-advocacy is a vital skill for students to develop. In this blog post, we will explore an easy-to-implement activity that encourages students to advocate for their learning accommodations, as well as discussion questions and related skills to help students grow in this area.

No-Prep Activity: Advocacy Role-Play

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and helps students practice advocating for their learning accommodations. Follow these steps:

1. Divide the students into pairs.
2. Ask each student to think of a learning accommodation they might need. Encourage them to consider real-life situations where they might require extra support or tools.
3. One student in each pair will play the role of the student needing an accommodation, while the other plays the role of the teacher.
4. The student should practice speaking up for their need respectfully, using an appropriate tone of voice and considering the best time and place to talk to the teacher.
5. After each student has had a turn in both roles, bring the class back together for a group discussion on the experience.

Discussion Questions

1. How did it feel to advocate for your learning accommodation? Was it easy or difficult? Why?
2. What strategies did you use to communicate your needs effectively and respectfully?
3. How can you apply the self-advocacy skills you practiced in this activity to real-life situations at school?
4. Why is it important to know the difference between a need and a want when advocating for yourself?
5. How can speaking up for your needs help you and your classmates create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment?

Related Skills

Developing self-advocacy skills can contribute to a student’s overall growth in various areas. Here are some related skills to consider:

• Self-awareness: Understanding one’s own strengths, weaknesses, and needs is crucial for effective self-advocacy.
• Communication: Expressing oneself clearly and respectfully is essential when advocating for learning accommodations.
• Problem-solving: Identifying potential solutions and strategies for meeting one’s needs can empower students to take charge of their learning.
• Resilience: Building the ability to bounce back from setbacks and continue advocating for oneself, even when faced with challenges.

Next Steps

Encouraging students to advocate for their learning accommodations is an important aspect of special education. To further support your students in developing these skills, sign up for free samples of skill-building materials and activities from Everyday Speech. Explore resources designed to help students grow in self-advocacy and other essential social-emotional learning areas, ensuring they have the tools and strategies needed for success at school and beyond.