ADHD Self-Advocacy Tips Every Age

Self-Advocacy Tips for Every Age

Learning to advocate for themselves is one of the most empowering skills your child with ADHD can develop.

It helps them understand their own needs, communicate more effectively with others, and take ownership of their learning environment.

Self-advocacy not only supports their academic success but also builds confidence and resilience, skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Let’s chat about practical steps and strategies to help children and teens with ADHD gain confidence in self-advocacy within the school environment.

Teach Simple Phrases for Help: At this age, teaching your preschooler basic phrases like “I need help” or “I don’t understand” is an excellent starting point. These phrases empower them to express when they need support, whether it’s with a task or emotionally.
Model Self-Advocacy: Demonstrate self-advocacy in everyday situations. For example, show your child how to ask for a break when they need it, like saying, “I need a little rest” when feeling overwhelmed.
Use Visual Cues: Visual tools like a “break card” or “I need help” symbol can empower your child to communicate their needs even before they can articulate them fully. This allows them to advocate for themselves in a non-verbal way when words are challenging.
Encourage Emotional Expression: Help your child label their emotions by using simple phrases such as “I’m feeling mad” or “I need some quiet time.” This teaches them that it’s okay to feel certain emotions and that expressing those feelings is a form of self-advocacy.

Focus on Simple Self-Advocacy: Teach your child to ask for help when they don’t understand something. Practice using phrases like, “Can you please explain that again?” or “I need a break, can I go to the quiet corner?”
Use Visual Cues: Help them identify and use non-verbal signals when they’re feeling overwhelmed or need a break (e.g., a hand on their chest or a specific gesture).
Role-Playing: Practice role-playing scenarios at home, such as asking the teacher for clarification on homework or asking for extra time during a test.

Encourage Asking for Modifications: Teach them how to request ADHD accommodations like extended time on tests or using a fidget toy in class. They can practice how to approach the teacher respectfully.
Create a List of Needs: Help them create a “What I Need” list to refer to when talking to teachers. This can include specific supports like extra time for assignments, quiet workspaces, or breaks.
Fostering Communication with Teachers: Help your child become comfortable communicating directly with teachers about what they need for success. Teach them how to send polite emails or approach teachers after class to discuss challenges they’re facing.

Navigating IEPs and 504 Plans: Encourage your teen to familiarize themselves with their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan. Help them understand their rights and how they can use these plans to request accommodations.
Self-Advocacy in Group Settings: Practice advocating in group situations, like group projects or classroom discussions. Teach them to express their needs, such as needing more time to process information or taking breaks to manage sensory overload.
Finding Their Voice in Meetings: If your teen is involved in meetings with teachers or school staff, empower them to speak up about how they learn best, the challenges they’re facing, and the solutions that have worked for them in the past.

Reframe Self-Advocacy as a Strength: Emphasize that asking for what they need is a positive thing, not a weakness. Teach them that self-advocacy is about helping themselves succeed, and it’s a life skill.
Start Early, Build Confidence: The earlier children learn to advocate for themselves, the more natural it will feel as they grow. Even if they can’t fully articulate all their needs at a young age, helping them understand the concept will lay a foundation for more effective advocacy in the future.

Book a free, no obligation Discovery Call with me today and let’s chat about how I can help you and/or your child!

Questions? Feel free to send me an email at Kat@AllBelong.com and let’s chat!

Kat Sweeney, MCLC