Teaching Self-Advocacy Skills

Research and long experience have shown that the single most important skill a student can take with them from their educational experience is the ability to explain to others how they learn and why. Students who can explain their learning needs can help educate not only their teachers or employers, but the community at large. Self-advocacy skills can help to ensure that students have a successful experience after transitioning out of school, and that they have the maximum amount of choices available to them, both in their careers and in their relationships with peers. The Academy has long been involved in teaching these skills to students, and we continue to emphasize this aspect of their education, both as part of their general classes and in the transitions program.

Recently, the Academy has started to organize a self-advocacy network for young adults, organized around the foundation of peer-to-peer support. For more information or to become involved, please contact Meredith Schindler at meredith@annarboracademy.org.