We all need to stand up for ourselves now and again. As an adult this takes some moxie. Yet, we have a lifetime of practice. Children, especially teenagers, are a little less prepared. They need to learn some of these self-advocacy skills themselves. For teens with autism, they can be particularly empowering. Self advocacy allows them to express their wants, needs, preferences, and challenges while navigating the difficult landscape of adolescence. 

Here are ten helpful ways to make use of self-advocacy to level the playing field for teens with autism in Waterloo.

1. Developing A Personal Support Plan

A personal support plan outlines the specific needs and strategies that help your teen with autism thrive. Don’t be afraid to get them to write this down. Or, help them make the list. Or, if they are being a typical teen, we can get an occupational therapist (add and behaviour therapist)at Monarch House to get the ball rolling. Just getting your child’s needs down on paper can help them sort out their own feelings. Also, having a personal support plan in place makes it clear to you, your teen, and everyone else, what they need. Resist the shy temptation to keep this to yourself, or tucked away in a drawer somewhere. You need to share this plan with your son’s or daughter’s  teachers, family members, and other support figures. This personal support plan document will help in the long run with information on social interaction strategies, sensory preferences, and preferred learning styles.

2. Seeking Out Support Networks

What works for others might work for you. Having friends in the same boat can be a good way to learn some coping strategies. In the Monarch House foyer, it can be incredibly beneficial to start connecting with peers who have had similar experiences. We also offer support groups. And parent coaching. Also, there are online communities for autistic teens to learn assertiveness. These networks can offer emotional support, provide advice, and share experiences, helping your teen feel less isolated and more confident in standing up for themselves. -should we add group programs to make friends and be around peers who can relate?

3. Understanding Their Rights

Don’t let your teen get pushed around by a system that’s not designed for them. The first step in self-advocacy is understanding rights. Teens with autism have specific accommodations and protections under laws like the Education Act in Ontario, Alberta and BC. Knowing these rights can help you advocate for necessary accommodations in school, such as sensory breaks and extra time for tests.

4. Communicating Their Needs Clearly

Learning how to say “no thanks” with just the right tone of voice can be a lifelong skill. At Monarch House, we offer speech therapy and can help with somecommunication strategies for children with autism. That’s because effective self-advocacy begins with clear communication. We can help your child practice articulating their needs and preferences in a straightforward manner. Say they are stuck in a classroom environment that they find overwhelming. Instead of suffering in silence, we can help your teen have a voice. One of the things we do is work with your teen and their teachers to find practical solutions to when events like this happen. Some communication strategies might be learning how to ask to be seated in a quieter area or get permission to use noise-canceling headphones.

5. Practicing Self-Care

Self-advocacy involves your teen with autism taking care of themselves both emotionally and physically. As a parent of a child with autism, you need to practice self-care as well. Develop routines that help you and your teen manage stress, such as eating healthy foods, meditation, regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and picking up hobbies you both enjoy. When your teen is  well-rested and balanced, it’s easier for them to communicate effectively and assert their needs.

6. Learning To Recognize And Manage Sensory Overload

Managing sensory overload for children with autism is one of the big things that we do at Monarch House. It starts with an understanding of your teen’s sensory sensitivities. We can help your child learn to identify when they are experiencing the onset of sensory overload and know what to do as it creeps up. Our occupational therapists can help them to develop strategies to manage it, such as using sensory tools or taking breaks. Once your teen is familiar with the sensation, and knows how to recognize the signs early, it becomes easier for them to advocate for adjustments in their environment before something happens. Knowing how to ask for what they need sensory-wise can prevent or mitigate discomfort.

7. Building Strong Relationships With Educators And Professionals

It’s never too early to build a positive support network at the school. Start establishing positive relationships with teachers, educational assistants, counselors, and other professionals at the high school your child goes to. Make sure everyone is onboard with the individualized education plan. This can help to bolster your self-advocacy efforts. Get some emails and phone numbers, and communicate with them regularly (without being a nuisance) about what works for your teen and what doesn’t. It’s going to take a collaborative approach. At Monarch House, our therapists are here to help as well. Holistically, it can lead to a more supportive and accommodating environment for your teen.

8. Developing Problem-Solving Skills

Monarch House can help your teen get creative when it comes to sticking up for themselves. A little humour can go a long way to soften the mood. Or, just an outside-of-the-box approach that minimizes conflict. Self-advocacy often involves working through challenges and finding unique solutions. In ouroccupational therapy for children with autism, we can help your teen strengthen their problem-solving skills by practicing how to explore possible solutions, break down issues, and weigh the pros and cons of each. Working with this systematic approach can help your teen handle situations more assertively and efficiently. 

9. Preparing For Meetings And Discussions

Always Be Prepared is the motto of the Boy Scouts, but it applies to teens with autism as well. When it comes time to discuss your teen’s needs or challenges with others, you want them to be as prepared as they can possibly be. At Monarch House, we can help to map out a plan. We can make an outline of the key points they want to cover. Then think ahead of the potential questions or objections that might come their way. Then, we can practice their responses. This methodical preparation and role play will help them feel more confident and articulate during future conversations that require assertiveness. 

10. Celebrating Successes

There’s more joy in making progress when there are rewards at hand. Recognize and celebrate your teen’s achievements in self-advocacy, no matter how small. Acknowledging the progress you’re both making in expressing your child’s needs makes it a wholesome event, and one that you can both talk about openly. Systematically, the two of you (with Monarch House’s help) can work steadily towards seeking accommodations, or managing sensory challenges, or just sticking up for what’s right. Celebrating these mini successes can boost your teen’s confidence and motivate both of you to continue advocating for a level playing field. 

It’s all about striking the right balance between assertiveness and humility. Monarch House can help foster the right social skills to empower your teenager. It will give them greater confidence and autonomy. For teens with autism, self-advocacy is a powerful tool enabling them to stand up for themselves with assurance and dignity. By communicating their needs clearly, understanding their rights, and building supportive relationships, teens with autism can create a more accommodating and inclusive environment. Embracing self-advocacy not only enhances their personal growth but also contributes to a more understanding and supportive community overall.