Self-Determination for all!

What made you go to college, get a job, buy a house, or vote? I can only imagine the varying answers to this question, but it most likely comes to a center focus of mastering the challenges set up for us in our environment. And with each challenge you develop experiences that build confidence and your self-concept.

With individuals with disabilities often they are over protected, guarded from some of these challenges, and therefore not able to master them either. I think it is important to recognize this inborn desire to grow and develop into adulthood and this means having experiences. As much as we would like to believe setting up a "mock" experience really gives a person a taste of the real life, I can say for myself the Sim's computer program did not really show me how to pay bills or build a house. Yes, it helped lay groundwork but the true gratification came later when I balanced my own checkbook and used real money to pay for real services. Real world experiences are key. However, we all know that things do not always go as planned. Credit companies are raising rates without prior notice or consent, robbers may vandalize, hurt, and steal our possessions. And we may fall ill due to not eating proper nutrients causing missed work, more bills, transportation issues, and many more serous problems. But after a major case like these, do we learn? Of course! Next time we go to the grocery store we may check on that credit card to be sure of the APR, and buy more oranges, and lock the door more carefully.

I realize this in its self is a real challenge for those who care, love, and often look after individuals with disabilities, to understand why it is better to give independence even if some hurt goes along with this. But they deserve to have these gratifying experiences of growth, and potential for their own self-determination! With these they will be able to better cope with all challenges that come their way and direct their own lives with confidence.

To help understand how these individuals can successfully accomplish theses goals I have laid our a few helpful resources.

Resources:

http://www.ncset.org/publications/viewdesc.asp?id=962
-Provides general information on what Self-determination is, how it is achieved, and research to back it all up. Also, NCSET gives well organized tips for families and professionals to help promote self-determination in youth with disabilities.

http://thechp.syr.edu/Sheri.pdf
- This is one families true life experience with Self-determination. This is a story of Sheri, a 30 year old (at the time of publishing) who accomplishes living on her own and contributing to her community. This is a great story, and guide to follow.

http://selfdetermination.wordpress.com/
- Fellow bloggers have put together a Self-determination blog. Here individuals with disabilities get the chance to share their own stories, with their words, about their Self-determination experiences. This is a truly inspirational site, that will most likely bring you to tears of happiness. These individuals pour their hearts out discussing why this is such a critical thing to them, and gives people who work with them the courage to support them in accomplishing this.

Book:
"Learning Outside the Lines: Two Ivy League Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD Give you the tools for Academic Success Educational Revolution"
By: Jonathan Mooney, David Cole, Edward, M., M.D. Hallowell
- This book provides both individuals with disabilities, but also their parents, and other mentors reasons to persevere through academic work and face the challenges ahead of them. I believe the advice they offer can be applied through many parts of life, even outside of education. There is a light at the end of every tunnel. It highlights personal empowerment, Self-determination!!!