Supporting Self-Determination in IEP Goals at Home

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Self-determination is a key part of a child’s development, especially for students with visual impairments and additional disabilities like deafblindness. In the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), self-determination involves teaching children how to understand and express their needs, make decisions, and advocate for themselves. Understanding your child’s IEP Self-Determination goal and how you can support it at home will further your child’s success.

IEP Goals

The IEP Team should write SMART IEP goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

The goal should clearly define the skill or behavior the student will work on, addressing skills like self-advocacy, decision-making, or goal setting.

The goal should be measurable, using percentages, frequencies, or other quantifiable elements.

The goal should be realistic, reflecting the student’s current abilities and available support.

It should be directly related to the student’s broader learning needs, particularly those related to self-determination.

The IEP goal timeline should clearly specify when completion is expected, typically within the school year.

Include a baseline or starting point from which the team can measure progress.

The IEP goal should outline how progress will be evaluated—through observations, assessments, or data collection—and include any supports or services the student will need to achieve the goal, such as assistive technology or teacher support.

Preschool (Ages 3-5): Building the Foundation

At the preschool level, self-determination is about nurturing early independence and decision-making. While children at this stage are beginning to understand their needs, preferences, and routines, simple strategies can help build these essential skills. Decision-making, self-awareness, and participation in routines all support building the foundation for your child’s future success with self-determination.

Choice-making: Offer two or more options to help your child learn to make decisions (e.g., which toy to play with, what snack to eat, what activity to do first).

Self-expression: Encourage your child to use simple language or gestures to express needs or likes/dislikes.

Following routines: Teach your child to participate in basic routines like putting away toys, washing hands, or dressing themselves.

Understanding personal needs: Help your child recognize when they are hungry, tired, or need help using verbal or other communication methods. You can identify for yourself when you are hungry or tired and verbally explain what that feels like.

These foundational skills set the stage for greater independence. Preschool IEP goals should aim to help children recognize their personal needs, make basic decisions, and participate in simple routines with guidance.

Elementary School: Expanding Independence

As children grow, they begin to grasp more complex ideas like cause and effect, problem-solving, and advocating for their needs. These skills are important for students with blindness or low vision and multiple disabilities as they build confidence and self-awareness. Decision-making, problem-solving, and early self-advocacy are the next steps in developing strong self-determination skills.

Problem-solving: Provide scenarios where your child can solve simple problems, such as choosing clothing appropriate for the weather or what to do when you don’t agree with someone.

Asking for help: Work with your child on how to ask for assistance when needed, using clear language or alternative communication methods (e.g., tactile symbols or communication devices for deafblind students). Practice during mealtimes, homework, or extracurricular activities.

Goal setting: Guide your child in setting small, achievable goals (e.g., completing homework independently, finishing a household chore, or other skills for extracurricular activities).

Making informed decisions: Allow your child to make decisions with consequences, such as choosing between two activities and understanding that time limits apply.

Elementary IEP goals should focus on teaching students to identify their needs, ask for help when necessary, and practice making decisions that affect their daily lives.

Middle School: Taking Ownership

Middle school is a pivotal time for your child to take greater ownership of their decisions and advocacy. For students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities, developing these skills can foster independence and help them navigate more complex environments. Goal setting, self-advocacy, and responsibility for actions continue to be a focus for working towards self-determination skills.

Setting personal goals: Help your child break down larger goals into smaller steps, such as finishing a school project, organizing schoolwork, or other extracurricular activities.

Self-monitoring: Teach your child to reflect on their progress toward goals and adjust their actions when needed (e.g., staying on task and asking for a break when overwhelmed).

Advocating for accommodations: Encourage your child to practice requesting classroom accommodations, such as extra time on assignments or working with a coach outside practices.

Managing responsibilities: Provide opportunities for your child to take on more responsibility at home, such as managing their schedule, organizing personal belongings, taking on additional chores, helping with meal planning, or planning family activities.

Middle school IEP goals should promote self-awareness, self-advocacy, and greater responsibility for your child’s decisions. These goals help prepare students to navigate school environments with increased independence.

High School: Preparing for Adulthood

High school is when your child with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities like deafblindness, should begin preparing for adulthood. It is the time to develop the skills they need for employment, higher education, or independent living. Transition planning, self-advocacy, and decision-making about your child’s future gradually shift from you taking the lead to your child taking ownership and leading the process.

Post-graduation planning: Your child should lead the discussions about their future, helping them explore career or educational paths that match their interests and abilities.

Job readiness: Work with your child on skills like how to apply for a job, create a resume, and practice interview techniques. Consider skills for time management, transportation, and social skills needed for a job.

Financial management: Introduce basic financial skills, such as budgeting, managing allowance or income, and understanding the concept of saving. Include your child in meal planning, grocery shopping, living expenses, and income streams.

Independent living skills: Work on skills needed for daily life, such as preparing meals, handling personal hygiene, or navigating public transportation.

High school IEP goals should focus heavily on transition planning, emphasizing preparing your child for life after graduation. These goals should help your child learn to advocate for themselves, make decisions about their future, and gain the skills necessary for independent living and employment.

Self-Determination for Your Child with Multiple Disabilities

Students with multiple disabilities, such as those who are deafblind, may need additional accommodations to develop self-determination skills fully. Families and IEP teams must ensure your child has the appropriate communication methods and support to express their needs and make decisions. Communication, decision-making with accommodations, and tailored advocacy develop the necessary skills for self-determination success.

Alternative communication: If your child uses alternative communication systems, work on expressing needs and choices through tactile sign language, communication boards, or other Alternative Augmented Communications (AAC) devices.

Tailored self-advocacy: Help your child understand their communication system to advocate for themselves, especially in school settings effectively.

Collaborating with support: Create scenarios at home to support your child in developing the skills needed to work with interpreters, aides, or other support staff to listen and understand your child’s needs at school.

Understanding personal preferences: Encourage your child to use their communication system to express likes, dislikes, and needs clearly.

IEP goals for students with multiple disabilities should be specific to their unique abilities and needs. The focus remains on fostering independence and ensuring they can advocate for themselves in ways that work for them.

Preparing for Adulthood: Senior Students

For senior students with visual impairments, preparing for adulthood requires building confidence in independent decision-making, self-advocacy, and goal-setting for the future. These skills are essential whether they are pursuing higher education, employment, or independent living. Your child’s next chapter is closer than ever; helping them identify the skills they need to work on for independent living, employment readiness, and future planning allows them ownership of their learning.

Future planning: Support your child and the skills needed to create a detailed plan for their post-graduation goals, whether it’s further education, vocational training, or living independently. Consider housing, jobs, community support, ways to engage in social activities, and hobbies.

Managing personal care: Help your child practice personal hygiene, meal preparation, and other self-care tasks needed for independent living. Transitioning from you leading appointments to your child making medical and other appointments independently.

Job application skills: Focus on writing resumes, practicing interviews, and understanding how to seek accommodations in a work environment.

Navigating the community: Work with your child and O&M provider on skills to use public transportation, navigate stores, or access community resources.

IEP goals for senior students should prioritize independence, self-advocacy, and the skills necessary for adulthood. These goals will help prepare the student for the next stage of their life, whether finding employment, pursuing higher education, or living independently.

Start with the End Goal in Mind

In conclusion, developing self-determination skills is a journey that begins in early childhood and extends into adulthood. By collaborating with IEP teams and creating opportunities at home, families can help their children build confidence, independence, and self-advocacy skills that will last a lifetime.

Download the Self Determination at Home Worksheet