Self-Advocacy: The Ultimate Teen Guide (19) (It Happened to Me) - Tapa dura

Self-advocacy begins with honest self-appraisal and results in a solid appreciation of who you are and what you can accomplish. The path to becoming an effective self-advocate is almost always complicated by self-doubt, misinformation, low expectations and repeated frustrations and setbacks. There is no question that this guide can be a powerful tool for teens (and adult readers) in understanding the importance of self-advocacy, appreciating its potential benefits in school and other settings, and in preparing to take action. -- Dr. Sheldon H. Horowitz, National Center for Learning Disabilities In this practical resource for teens, educators Tuttle and Silva teach the fundamental skills of self-advocacy. In the first three chapters, they explain what self-advocacy is, describe how it is done, and suggest ways of dealing effectively with the media. Each of seven subsequent chapters deals with self-advocacy in the context of a particular issue, such as personal rights, learning disabilities, and foster care. Sprinkled throughout the volume are quotes from teens who decided to speak out on issues affecting them. * Reference and Research Book News, November 2007 *

Young people come to realize, sometimes painfully early, that it isn't always possible to depend on adults to make sure they are treated safely, fairly, and legally. When teens are faced with situations that are unfair, immoral, illegal, and unjust, they do not need to be victims. They can learn to speak up for themselves effectively to improve their own lives and the lives of others. The skill of self-advocacy rarely comes naturally for teens. Self-Advocacy: The Ultimate Teen Guide offers a set of skills for young people to sort through and acquire and encourages them to speak up about what is bothering them. The book gives them helpful tools they can adapt to deal with adults they must work with-and in some cases against-in order to come to a solution to their problem. Self-Advocacy provides information teens need to have to advocate for themselves. The introduction and first three chapters explain what self-advocacy is; identify when and why it might be necessary for teens to speak up for themselves; provide a step-by-step guide on how to self-advocate successfully; and offer specific, real-world advice about how to wisely use the power of the media to publicize their cause. Seven issue-specific chapters follow. Each topic is treated in a dignified, organized, and comprehensive way, providing information teens can use and resources they can draw upon. The issues and information in those chapters deal with the real world and don't shy away from the difficulties young people encounter every day, such as personal rights, school issues, learning disabilities, physical disability, sexuality, legal issues, and foster care. Each chapter includes the voices and experiences of teens who have encountered issues and decided to speak up for and get what they need. Teens who learn how to advocate for themselves and then act are not only taking steps to right whatever wrong they have been facing, they are also preparing themselves for a successful adult life.