Self-advocacy and self-determination
Peer support can help young adults build self-advocacy and self-determination.
Self-advocacy means expressing for yourself and asking for what you want and need. Young people who ask for what they need can participate better on research teams and in other aspects of their life.
Self-determination means making choices and decisions about your life.
Communicating what you want and need helps young adults feel confident and in charge of their lives. It can also help them feel comfortable sharing about their disability. People who share about their disability can get greater access to services and resources.
Young adults told us how important it was to “know your strengths and weaknesses.”
“Mentees with I/DD may benefit from peer mentors with I/DD who have experience setting and achieving goals, who know how to problem-solve barriers to inclusion and participation, and who internalize a positive disability identity”1
Peer support should be part of person-centered planning.
Person-centered planning means the young person chooses people to help them and their family learn about their dreams, strengths, and make goals to plan for life after high school.
Peer support should be part of a whole circle of support used on research teams. People with disabilities, their caregivers, and providers and professionals should have training on person-centered planning.
Self-determination and person-centered planning focus on the person’s strengths.
Go to the next page to learn more about Post Secondary Training and Experiences.
1. Kramer JM, Ryan CT, Moore R, Schwartz A. Feasibility of electronic peer mentoring for transition-age youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Project Teens making Environment and Activity Modifications. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2018 Jan;31(1):e118-e129. doi: 10.1111/jar.12346.