Self-Advocacy, Rights & Responsibilities
Story - Speaking Up
Read this story together and then discuss.
Q&A
- If you don't speak, how can you communicate?
- How could Josie make Dave understand?
- Does Josie have the right to have hamburgers?
- Is it OK for people to change the schedules in their own homes?
- When you prefer something different than what is offered, how do you express what you really want?
<Body Break>
Make your body and your brain happy!
Show & Share
Show us your favorite game or toy. Tell us how you got it. Tell us why you like it.
Interaction
It's important to be able to tell people what you want in a way that is both polite and effective. That is called "assertive." Some of us have difficulty with talking and we need to use other ways to communicate.
- How do you let people know what you need or want?
- Do you ever yell at people to get your way?
- Do you wait for people to ask you what you want?
- What are some good ways to tell people you want or need something?
- What about if you are very shy or don't talk, how can you communicate?
<Body Break>
Give your body what it needs.
Reinforce - Other Ways to Be Assertive
Look at the poster and see if you are assertive in other ways.
PRESENTERS: Pick a few of the items on the poster to discuss. No need to do them all, or do them in order.
Life Skills Connection
Assertive communication is calm. These sentences are good for practicing the difference between aggressive and assertive. The staff will read them aggressively and you can show them the correct way. Notice that even please can sound aggressive.
PRESENTERS: Read the sentences aggressively and have participants show you the right way to speak them.
- I would like some water please. It's really hot out here.
- I don't want meatloaf. Can we have chicken instead?
- I need to use the restroom.
- Can you please help me with my jacket?
- Pass the butter please.
Apply Learning
Another part of assertiveness is being able to say no in a calm, kind way without feeling bad. Which things can you say no to and which things can't you say no to.
- A friend asks you to give them money
- Your boss asks you to work on Saturday but you have a wedding to go to
- A staff person warns you not to stand on chairs
- A police officer tells you not to use the crosswalk until they say
- Your brother asks for a key to your new apartment.
<Body Break>
Do what you know you can!
Game 2 - What's That?
Look at each ink blot. Tell the group what it reminds you of. Funniest answer wins.
What Did We Learn Today?
