Self-determination involves believing in oneself and having control over one's own life and decisions. It includes setting goals and advocating for oneself. A study found that students with higher self-determination scores in high school were more likely to live independently after graduation compared to students with lower scores, regardless of IQ. Teachers can foster self-determination by helping students set goals, communicate what teaching methods help them learn, and participate in their IEP meetings.

1. What is Self-Determination?

2. Self-determination
is a belief in oneself,
a belief that one is an
active contributor
and the author of
one’s own destiny.

3. Self determination
involves choosing
and setting goals,
being involved in making
one’s own life decisions,
self advocating and
working to reach goals.

4. Why is Self-Determination
Important?

5. Wehmeyer & Palmer (2003),
looked at the self
determination scores of
94 adults, three years
following high school
graduation.

6. Students with identical IQ scores,
but who had higher self-
determination scores during their
last year of high school, were more
likely to live away from home,
maintain a bank account,
purchase their own groceries, and
on the whole, live more
independently.

7. In addition, the authors stated,
“Overall, there was not a single
question on which the low self-
determination group fared more
positively than the high self-
determination group” (Whemeyer
& Palmer, 2003, p. 140).

8. What Can I Do to Foster Self-
Determination?

9. Do Your Students…..
1. Set goals and
evaluate their own
progress?

10. 2. Share with gen. ed.
teachers what
accommodations help
them to learn better?

11. 3. Help prepare for and
participate in their IEP
meetings?

12. http://www.imdetermined.org/