Maria+Lehane

Module 5- Posting

I have been through many experiences as a parent of a child who has a disability. However, the topic of Self-Determination is one that has caused me anxiety since the first time I became aware of the term and its process. I struggle with the fact that my son thinks and does things very differently than others as a result of his disability (and his own personal characteristics). But because of his disability, it is of the utmost importance that he learns to “address knowledge, skills and attitudes that students need to take more control or responsibility for their lives.” I understand ‘why’ but not all the ‘how’ of navigating through the process and reaching the end results. This module has been very important for me as I realize that it is the first time I have read or viewed actual accounts from individuals who have disabilities and the importance of self-determination in their lives. It has been fascinating to read the posts from those in this class that are working with students in terms of self-determination. I value their work and experiences. I have started to shift my mind set from trying to figure it all out and focusing more on what skills my son can work on from home that will help him in terms of self-determination. My son is well aware of his strengths and weaknesses (or things he needs to work on as he calls them) but it is now time to let him make more of his own choices and mistakes. To have him learn from his experiences so that he can make different choices the next time. It is time to allow him more independence to make decisions and to understand if those are the right or wrong decisions for him. It all sounds so simple, but it is not. That is only the beginning-but it is a good place to start.

// From Joe -I'm glad that the materials are causing you to reflect so much on this very important topic. In terms of personal accounts, I strongly encourage you to read "The Short Bus" by Jonathan Mooney. You'll see a range of people with disabilities and how many of them developed and used their SD in some very challenging and trying circumstances. And often the challenges were less a cause of the disability but more a cause of the environment. But they learned ways to be SD and to carry forward. //