Katie+Hudd


 * EPSY5140SPRING2012 WIKI ASSIGNMENT **

**How are self-advocacy, self-determination and person centered planning connected?** == The main connection between self-advocacy, self-determination and person-centered planning (pcp) is the “self”. While this would appear to be obvious, it was only in the last couple decades that the individual began to be included in his or her own lives. It was not until 1990 that the IDEA was changed to hold school systems accountable for measuring the individual’s long-term and goals progress. Through activities and assessments that focus on self-exploration and discovery, the individual and their team can learn about the “self”, and then successfully develop personalized educational and transitional plans. PCP, self-advocacy, and self-determination are molded by the individual’s intrinsic motives (thoughts/opinions/beliefs) and their environment. The self-exploration activities make it apparent to the individual and their team on what they need to do in order to achieve in the now, rather than what they hope for in the future. ==

== Through self-determination, understanding one’s skills, knowledge and beliefs and believing in oneself as “capable & effective’”, the individual can advocate for themselves during person centered planning. If the individual is not fully aware of their interests and goals, strengths and challenges, and skills and traits, they will not be able to advocate for themselves and others will have difficulty trying to support them and create appropriate IEP’s and transition plans. To me, self-determination seems like it must be present in an individual in order for them to be in control of their plans. What I found interesting about the MAPS planning was how the family/friends presence is critical, however it is also important that for most of the planning they remain silent, and also try to keep an objective view of how to best help the student with their goals. This seems like an integral way to influence the individual to be determined and reach their plans and goals mostly on their own. ==