How can teachers and adult service providers continue to promote self-determination and work with families when there is disagreement over services and supports?
Start with the family’s understanding of self-determination. Each family, regardless of culture or educational level, will have their own values, priorities, and dreams for the future of their child. Educate parents and family members, along with their child, about the value of self-determination as it relates to normal child and adolescent development. Draw them into this through their own life experience. Build safety nets for parents. Some resistance may come from fear of failure, fear of abuse, the vulnerability of their child, and fear of losing their role as advocate for their child’s rights. Some parents may feel it is their responsibility to defend and protect their child, and many have had to work very hard to learn multiple systems and to fight for services and supports for their child. Changing roles and shifting that responsibility to their child does not happen quickly. If parents learn the value and long-term outcomes of self-determination (no matter how severe the disabi
