Description

Self-advocacy is the act of speaking up for oneself and expressing one's needs, but how can we teach our kids, especially those who are neurodiverse, to self-advocate? In this episode, Aniesa gives practical ways you can start to teach your child this essential skill in life to help empower and build confidence within themselves.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• It can be particularly challenging for those who are neurodivergent to self-advocate for themselves when they often already struggle to communicate and demonstrate their needs.
• It’s important that we teach neurodivergent children to appropriately self-advocate, meaning they feel heard and comfortable whilst doing so.
• Start teaching self-advocacy skills early. The earlier the better, children as young as 3 can begin to self-advocate. If they say no, we as adults need to respect that.
• We can use visual supports to help teach neurodivergent children to learn to self-advocate. This can be a useful tool even for those who are good are verbal communication.
• Roleplay can be a great visual support to teach self-advocacy, giving your child the opportunity to practice their skills in a safe environment.
• The changes in confidence when children, and their caregivers, are taught practical ways for self-advocacy are substantial, allowing them to feel empowered.
• Using ‘I statements’ can be a very important tool in learning and teaching self-advocacy without being confrontational to others.

BEST MOMENTS

“We can help our neurodiverse kids learn to self-advocate effectively and to assert their rights in a respectful and appropriate manner”

“As they get older, we can teach more advanced advocacy skills such as how to communicate with people whom we might see as those with authority”

“If a child doesn’t like being hugged, that’s fine, they can say no” 

“Encourage your child to use an I statement when learning to self-advocate”

CONTACT METHOD

www.instagram.com/aniesabblore/          
www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/   
www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon

ABOUT THE HOST

Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.

Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.

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