Your Voice Lesson Plan Your Voice, Your Power
Individualized Tier 3 Lesson Plan
Duration
15 Minutes
Objective
The student will identify personal needs and practice clear communication strategies to advocate for themselves effectively in various social and academic situations.
Audience
17-year-old male student with Autism
Rationale
Learning self-advocacy is crucial for this student to navigate personal and academic challenges, ensuring his needs are met and fostering the independence necessary for post-secondary transition.
Preparation (5 Minutes)
Review the Intro to Self-Advocacy Slide Deck .
Print the Self-Advocacy Scenario Worksheet .
Read through the Self-Advocacy Script for talking points.
Ensure the "Why Your Voice Matters" Reading is ready.
Prepare the Quick Check Quiz for the wrap-up.
Instructional Flow
1
Introduction & Warm-Up
2 Minutes
Begin with the engaging question from the Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).
Use conversational prompts from the Script to introduce "using your voice."
Connect self-advocacy importance to the student's actual daily experiences.
2
Direct Instruction
4 Minutes
Define self-advocacy using Slide Deck (Slides 3-6).
Read "Why Your Voice Matters" together or independently.
Discuss takeaways using prompts from the Script to check comprehension.
3
Guided Practice
4 Minutes
Introduce the Scenario Worksheet.
Work through 1-2 scenarios together, prompting strategy use.
Provide specific, positive feedback on his articulation.
4
Activity & Game
3 Minutes
Transition to the Role-Play Activity: "Speak Up!"
Guide through a brief role-play, focusing on clear communication.
Optionally play the Challenge Game to identify advocacy statements.
5
Wrap-Up & Quick Check
2 Minutes
Summarize the 3 key steps: Know Needs, Speak Clearly, Be Respectful.
Administer the Quick Check Quiz (verbal or short written).
End with positive reinforcement about the value of his voice.
Intro to Self Advocacy Slides Your Voice,
Your Power!
Self-Advocacy Mastery
Teacher Notes
Welcome the student and explain that today's lesson is about finding and using their voice. Make it relatable to their experiences.
Initial Thoughts
"What does it mean to use your voice?"
Why is it important for you to speak up?
What is Self-Advocacy?
Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself and your needs.
It's about letting others know what you need to be successful and comfortable.
"You are the world's leading expert on you."
- Your Voice, Your Power
Teacher Notes
Introduce the concept in simple terms. Emphasize that it's about making sure their needs are understood and met.
How Do We Self-Advocate?
01
Know Your Needs
What helps you learn best? What makes you uncomfortable?
02
Speak Clearly
Use words that explain what you need simply and directly.
03
Be Respectful
Share your needs calmly and politely to help others listen.
Teacher Notes
Break down self-advocacy into actionable steps. For this student, identifying needs might be the hardest part, so focus on concrete examples.
When Do You Self-Advocate?
In class: "Can I have more time for this assignment?"
With friends: "I need a quiet space to focus during group work."
At home: "I feel overwhelmed by this noise. Can we turn it down?"
Teacher Notes
Provide examples relevant to a school setting. Ask the student if they can think of times they might need to self-advocate.
Why Is It Important?
It helps you get what you need.
It helps others understand you.
It builds your confidence!
Now let's look at some examples and practice using our voice.
Teacher Notes
Reiterate the positive impact. Connect it to feeling more in control. Set up the next activity (worksheet/reading).
Self Advocacy Facilitation Script Teacher Resource
Facilitation Script: Your Voice, Your Power
Instructional guide for the 15-minute individualized session.
Introduction & Warm-Up (2 min)
Dialogue
"Hi [Student's Name]! Today, we're going to talk about something really important: using your voice . Have you ever been in a situation where you needed something, or something felt unfair, but you weren't sure how to say it?"
Pause for student response. Listen actively and validate their feelings.
"That's a very common feeling! It's okay to feel that way. Today, we're going to learn about 'self-advocacy,' which is a fancy way of saying 'speaking up for yourself.'"
Core Concepts (4 min)
[Transition to Slide 1 & 2]
"Look at this slide. 'Your Voice, Your Power!' It's a big idea. What do you think that means?"
Guide discussion. Connect it to personal power and control.
[Transition to Slide 3]
"So, self-advocacy is speaking up for yourself and your needs. Think about it like this: you're the expert on YOU! No one knows what you need better than you do. Why do you think it's important for you to let others know what helps you?"
Encourage responses related to comfort, success, getting help.
The Three Steps (Slide 4)
"First, Know Your Needs. This is about understanding yourself. What helps you learn best? Maybe you need a quiet space, or a visual aid, or extra time. What makes you uncomfortable? Loud noises? Too many people?"
(Pause, ask student to name one thing they know about their own needs.)
"Second, Speak Clearly. It doesn't have to be a big speech. Short, simple sentences are best. 'I need help with this,' or 'Can you repeat that slowly?' are perfect examples."
"And third, Be Respectful. We can ask for what we need calmly and politely. It helps others listen better."
Guided Practice & Wrap-Up (5 min)
Use Slides 5 & 6 to discuss examples, then move to the worksheet and role-play.
"Let's try some practice scenarios. I have a worksheet with a few situations. We'll read them together, and you can tell me what you would say or do. Remember our steps: Know Your Needs, Speak Clearly, Be Respectful. "
Coach through role-play. Provide positive feedback.
"You did a great job practicing today! Remember, using your voice is a skill that gets easier with practice. What's one thing you learned today about speaking up for yourself?"
Voice Power Reading Passage Name:
Date:
Why Your Voice
Matters
"Imagine you're trying to build a really cool Lego castle, but you can't find a specific piece. If you don't tell anyone, how will you get the piece you need? It's the same in life! Sometimes, to get what you need, you have to ask for it."
This is called self-advocacy , and it's a super important skill for everyone, especially for you. Self-advocacy means you speak up for yourself and your own needs. It's not about being demanding; it's about being honest about your experiences and finding solutions.
? Why Should You Speak Up?
You are the Expert on You!
No one knows your thoughts, feelings, and needs better than you do. Your experiences are unique.
Get the Support You Need
Sometimes, people might not realize you need extra time or a quieter space until you tell them.
Feel More Confident
Successfully communicating your needs shows you that you have the power to make things better for yourself.
How to Start
Think about your needs: Before a situation, consider what would help you (a break? clearer instructions?).
Use "I" statements: Instead of "You are noisy," try "I find it hard to concentrate with noise."
Be clear and concise: Get straight to the point. "Could you please explain that again?"
Remember, your voice is powerful. Every time you speak up for yourself, you're growing stronger!
Self Advocacy Scenario Worksheet Self-Advocacy Scenarios
Practice using your voice in different situations.
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Read each scenario. Think about what you would need and what you could say to advocate for yourself. Remember: Know Your Needs, Speak Clearly, Be Respectful.
1
Noisy Classroom
You are in class, and your teacher has assigned independent work. The students around you are talking loudly, and you are having trouble concentrating.
What do you need?
A quiet place
Less noise
Help understanding the task
What could you say?
2
Group Project Confusion
Your group members are talking over each other and assigning tasks that don't make sense to you. You feel confused about what you are supposed to do.
What do you need?
Clearer instructions
A specific task
A chance to ask questions
What could you say?
3
Uncomfortable Situation
Someone at an after-school club says something that makes you feel uncomfortable or upset. You don't want to stay in the conversation.
What do you need?
To leave the conversation
For them to stop
To tell an adult
What could you say?
4
Asking for Help
You are struggling with homework and have tried to figure it out on your own. You know you need help but aren't sure how to ask.
What do you need?
Help from a teacher
A different explanation
More examples
What could you say?
Speak Up. Be Heard. Be You.
Role Play Activity Guide Role-Play: Speak Up!
Active Practice Session
Step 1
Know Your Needs
Step 2
Speak Clearly
Step 3
Be Respectful
Choose Your Scenario
A
Scenario: You need a break.
Teacher: "Okay, let's keep working on these math problems. You're almost there!"
Student: Practice asking for a short break to refocus.
B
Scenario: You're confused.
Teacher: "...so make sure you use three details in your paragraph. Any questions?"
Student: Practice asking for clarification or rephrasing.
C
Scenario: Someone is bothering you.
Teacher (acting as peer): "Hey, what are you doing? Come look at this funny video!"
Student: Practice politely asking them to stop or explaining you're busy.
Feedback & Coaching
Self Advocacy Challenge Game Challenge Game
Speak Up! OR Stay Quiet?
"I will read a situation. Decide if it's a time to Speak Up! (self-advocate) or Stay Quiet . If you Speak Up, tell me what you would say!"
Your teacher is talking very quickly and you can't follow along.
Speak Up!
Stay Quiet
A friend tells you about a new video game you're not interested in.
Speak Up!
Stay Quiet
Someone accidentally bumps your elbow causing your book to fall.
Speak Up!
Stay Quiet
The strong smell of paint is making you feel dizzy and uncomfortable.
Speak Up!
Stay Quiet
The light is too dim while you are reading and it strains your eyes.
Speak Up!
Stay Quiet
A sibling is telling a long story and you want to say something.
Speak Up!
Stay Quiet
Discussion Points
Respectful Tone
Clear Words
Confidence
Self Advocacy Quick Quiz Quick Check Quiz
Your Voice, Your Power
Name:
Date:
1
In your own words, what does it mean to "self-advocate"?
2
Which of these is NOT a good reason to self-advocate?
To get what you need
To make others do exactly what you want
To help others understand you better
To feel more confident
3
Name one thing you can do to help you self-advocate (like a step or strategy).
4
Think about your own life. When is a time you might need to speak up? What could you say?
Great Work! Your Voice is Powerful.
