Self-Advocacy Skills

v     Help you child learn about his or her disability and how to ask for the supports he or she needs.

v     Role play different situations with your child (e.g. interviews, standing up to a friend)

v     Help your child to understand my rights and responsibilities.

v     Discuss your child’s medical needs with him or her and facilitate discussions with his or her doctor.

v     Support your son or daughter with follow through with their responsibilities stressing the importance of being accountable.

v     Allow your son or daughter to learn the value of natural consequences.

Self-Help Skills

v     Help your child master self-help tasks such as clothing selection, grooming and personal appearance.

v     Give your child some responsibility in home decorating and shopping for themselves and the household.

v     Help your child with budgeting and financial planning.

v     Give your child responsibility for chores at home

v     Help your child to be medically aware by identifying common illnesses and how they can be treated, choosing a physician, identifying and reporting medical emergencies and first-aid training.

v     Help your child with traffic and safety issues along with accessing the local public transportation, Para-transit, and or acquire their drivers license.

Personal and Social Skills

v     Help your son or daughter develop satisfying relationships across all domains (work, school, church, community)

v     Empower your son or daughter to pursue relationships by discussing and role-play basic skills such as information gathering, self-initiation and choice–making. 

v     Help you son or daughter explore the different types of community activities available in their area.  Focus on activities that are of personal interest or value. 

v     Introduce your son or daughter to adult role models with disabilities.

v     Involve your child in awareness of local, state, and federal government, knowledge of civil and citizen rights and how to register and vote.

Vocational Skills

v     Talk to your son or daughter about the type of work they envision for themselves.

v     Talk to your son or daughter about their job interests and the types of support they might need to work in an occupational field of choice.

v     Capitalize on the strengths and works skills your child needs to acquire for a job.

v     Assist and reinforce job search and work skills for which your son or daughter is responsible.

v     Network for job leads.

v     Support your son or daughter in their goals for employment.

v     Discuss with your son or daughter the accommodations they may need on the job.