Self-Determination and Leadership

The role that parents play in fostering leadership skills in their children who have disabilities is critical. Recently, this particular facet of parenting has begun to receive a great deal of attention as researchers who had previously studied this topic almost exclusively in the school setting are now expanding their focus to the home environment.

Because traditional understandings of leadership have not always taken into account children and young adults who have more significant disabilities, the concepts of leadership and self-determination have commonly been presented together-- in complement to one another--thereby broadening the definition of leadership so that is is more meaningful and accurate for those with various types of disability. Self-determination is described as the ability to make ongoing choices throughout one’s day and to have access to participating and contributing fully in home, school, and community life with supports as needed .

The recognition of leadership skills among children with disabilities is not a given. In considering your own impressions of what leadership is, it may be helpful to consider various definitions of leadership in order to better understand how our children are, in fact, already innate leaders.

One definition that speaks to the far-reaching influence that children with disabilities possess was presented by Lance Secretan in Industry Week from 10/12/98: “Leadership is not so much about technique and methods as it is about opening the heart. Leadership is about inspiration—of oneself and of others. Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes. Leadership is not a formula or a program, it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers the hearts of others. It is an attitude, not a routine.”

When supported appropriately and given opportunities to develop valuable self-determination skills, children with disabilities begin to advocate for themselves, making choices for their lives, teaching all of us valuable truths. Children who have disabilities expose their peers to new and different ways of communicating, learning, and playing, giving them a whole new perspective from which to view the world. Furthermore, they constantly endeavor to grow and learn, sometimes despite significant challenges that are foreign to many of their friends. So often the children show us what real courage and perserverence look like, through taking chances and continuing to try, even with the realization that they may or may not be successful in the attempt. When we choose to listen, people with disabilities, young and old alike, have caused many of us to better align our daily decisions and actions with our core beliefs and values. Leadership epitomized.

Here are some practical ways for parents to nurture leadership and self-determination in their child:
• Offer ongoing opportunities to make choices throughout the day (food, clothing, play, outings, etc.)
• If needed, ensure availability of communication aids that allow your child to express choices
• Think seriously about creating more access within the home so that your child can be more autonomous
• Seek out and support age-appropriate relationships with typical peers and opportunities to develop skills in age-appropriate activities that typical peers enjoy as well
• Research leadership opportunities/programs together that are available at school and in the community for elementary, middle, and high schoolers
• Take a step back and let your child do it!

Children and young adults who have disabilities are capable leaders. By recognizing this leadership and allowing self-determination skills to flourish, the foundation for achieving a rich, full life is certainly within reach.