Welcome to Ms. Begin's Teacher Pages
A Resource
Guide for Harbor High School
Students and Parents
Welcome! You will find a lot of information
that bridges the gap between high school and the next step. You will
find information about career programs, scholarships, enrolling at
Cabrillo College, as well as information about learning disabilities and
much more. If you have questions, comments or concerns please go to the
contact link to learn how to reach me.
Thank You,
Ms. Begin
10 Steps to Independence:
Promoting
self-determination in the home
The following text is for
families who have children with special learning and/or behavior needs
who are looking to strengthen and develop positive work habits and
behaviors, self-determination skills, and the self-confidence their
child will need to succeed in life. Davis and Wehmeyer’s ten steps for
families to promote independence and self-determination with their
children is as follows:
1. Walk the tightrope between protection
and independence. Allow your child to explore his/her world.
2. Children need to learn that what they say or do is important and
can influence others. This involves allowing risk taking and
exploration.
3. Self-worth and self-confidence are critical
factors in the development of self-determination. Model your own sense
of positive self-esteem to your child.
4. Don’t run away from
questions from your child about differences related to her/his
disability. That does not mean, however, focusing on the negative side
of the condition. Stress that everyone is an individual, encourage your
child’s unique abilities, and help him//her accept unavoidable
limitations.
5. Recognize the process of reaching goals; don’t
just emphasize outcomes.
6. Schedule opportunities for
interactions with children of different ages and
backgrounds.
7. Set realistic but ambitious
expectations.
8. Allow your child to take responsibility for
his/her own actions-successes and failures.
9. Don’t leave
choice-making opportunities to chance.
10. Provide honest, positive
feedback. Focus on the behavior or task that needs to be changed.
For a complete review of the article : Davis, S., & Wehmeyer, M. L.
(1991). Ten steps to the independence: Promoting self-determination in
the home. Arlington, TX: The Arc.
