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PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education 2016: YOUTH LEADERSHIP STRAND
A big part of growing up and getting older is learning to make our own
decisions about our lives. These decisions may be BIG or small… but
learning to make them is part of becoming independent.
Through making these decisions about our lives, we become our own
person! This is often called “self-determination.”
According to Merriam Webster’s online dictionary, having self-
determination means you build your own life with YOUR choices – not
someone else’s!
While this is an exciting part of growing up, it can come with some
challenges. This workshop will allow you to take steps to learn about
your own likes, dislikes, and options for CHOICES in areas both BIG and
small.
With self-determination, independence is the name of the game! But
always remember, smart people ask for help. Don’t be afraid to reach
out to your supports as you grow in these areas. That’s what we’re here
for!

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PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education 2016: YOUTH LEADERSHIP STRAND
You may have spent some time thinking about what you’ll do after
graduation, or you may be more focused on being successful in the
upcoming week. Wherever you stand, self-determination is for you!
SHARE OUT: Spend some time talking with a neighbor about short-term
and long-term decisions and examples of these choices you have made
or hope to make in your own life.
Here are some ideas to get your started:
Short term decisions: What to eat for lunch, what shoes to wear to school, whether to spend
time with friends on a Saturday, whether to buy a movie ticket or save the money for something
else
Long term decisions: Whether to participate in a school transitions program, whether or not to
apply for a job, which job to apply for, which community resource program to join after
graduation, which friendships to pursue
GROUP TALK: How have you practiced self-determination already?
How do you hope to practice self-determination in your future “big
ticket” decisions? What does this mean to you?

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PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education 2016: YOUTH LEADERSHIP STRAND
What did you do today? Which parts of your day did you choose?
Which parts of your day were required? How and why?
ACTIVITY: Circle below the small things you have chosen in the past few
days, weeks, or months. Why did you choose what you chose? What
FACTORS played into your decision? (See Merriam Webster definition below)
What should I wear? When should I get up in the morning?
What should I eat for breakfast? Should I spend time with friends?
Should I spend time with family? Should I go outside or stay indoors?
Should I attend church or religious services?
Should I spend my free time doing homework?
Should I watch this show on TV?
Will I make dinner at home or go out to eat?
Will I eat by myself, with friends, or with family?

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PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education 2016: YOUTH LEADERSHIP STRAND
Thinking about the future can be scary, but it helps us to get ready for
our NEXT STEPS. Take a look at the pictures below and journal about
the things that come to mind when you see them. What choices might
you have coming up? What tools will you use to make them?

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PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education 2016: YOUTH LEADERSHIP STRAND
ACTIVITY: In the next five minutes, do THREE things that are
completely your choice!
For ideas, you may…
 Start a conversation with the person next to you
 Grab a drink of water
 Check your cell phone for missed messages
 Pick a snack to eat
 Doodle in the corner of your paper
 Get outside for a quick breath of fresh air
Whatever you do, make sure it is completely YOUR choice!

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PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education 2016: YOUTH LEADERSHIP STRAND
One of the biggest steps when transitioning into adulthood
involves gaining more control over our FINANCES, or money.
While having some money to spend can be fun, we have to plan
carefully in order to create good money management skills.
This is a HUGE part of self-determination!
IDEAS to help us manage our money:
 Open a checking or savings account
o Talk with a parent, educator, or transition liaison to get support.
 Take your own cash when in the community
o Set aside enough for each day and plan ahead for possible
unexpected expenses
 Set up a savings plan
o Write down your income [money you bring IN] and make sure you’re
setting aside a certain sum each time you earn. Your income could be
money you get from Social Security funds, babysitting jobs, an entry
level job, chore money, birthday gifts, or other sources!
 Make money goals
o Save up for concert tickets, new shoes, a plane ticket, or just a meal
at a nice restaurant! The possibilities are endless.

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PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education 2016: YOUTH LEADERSHIP STRAND
And you don’t have to have a traditional job to work – there are
TONS of possibilities for you to use work as part of your self-
determination process!
Pick a job you LIKE and a job YOU CAN DO.
 This could be household chore work, supported employment, work within
your school setting, work in the community (think snow shoveling, pet care,
etc.), or just work on the things you love (writing, drawing, exercising, etc.).
Hobbies, volunteer positions, and entry level jobs are a great
way to DETERMINE what you like, love, and want to do.
Remember, the sky’s the limit!
Potential Volunteering Opportunities:
 Local Animal Shelters
 Libraries
 Recreation Centers
 Hospitals
 Retirement homes
 Zoos
 Museums
 Nonprofits
 Homeless Shelters
 Children’s homes
 Home-building or construction projects
 Churches and religious community organizations
 Camps for children in need
 Local school districts
 Horse ranches or therapeutic riding programs
 Children’s sporting events
 Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts
 Mentoring Programs…..AND MORE! Browse online for more ideas and
opportunities.

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PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education 2016: YOUTH LEADERSHIP STRAND
This is one of the parts of self-determination that you might like
the most...finding, making, and keeping friends!
Friends can help us to define ourselves. This is why we must
choose carefully! Think about places you can find good friends,
and get involved in these things. Remember – to make a good
friend, you need to be one.
Places you might make great friends:
 Clubs or community groups for people with your shared interests
 Friends through friends – ask your great current friends to
introduce you to someone new!
 School classes or groups in which students have similar interests
 Religious or faith-based groups where friends may align with your
values
Our friends make us who we are! Never underestimate the importance
of a great set of friends.

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PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education 2016: YOUTH LEADERSHIP STRAND
You don’t have to be in college to take charge of your education.
Practice self-determination in your education through…
 Choosing elective classes in high school that interest you
 Deciding whether to participate in a transition (18-21) program
 Choosing day programs or classes in the community that you enjoy after
you graduate
 Looking into community college or training programs to prepare you for the
workforce
Choose three steps you’ll take in the next month to make your
education more self-determined – remember, these can be baby steps! Share
them with those around you.
What sounds like fun to you?
Babysitting/CPR Training____________________________________________________
Cooking Classes___________________________________________________________
Study group______________________________________________________________
Anime or video game group__________________________________________________
International Travel groups__________________________________________________
Group Sports______________________________________________________________
Book clubs________________________________________________________________
Yoga or fitness classes_______________________________________________________
Something else – write it here! ________________________________________________
Take some cooking classes? Join a study or learning group? Enroll in a
cosmetology or automotive program? The community is full of opportunities.
Check out your local library for free classes with tons of different learning
choices!

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PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education 2016: YOUTH LEADERSHIP STRAND
For example, see below for a quick assessment of a major personality trait in this quiz:
Are you more Introverted or Extroverted?
1) I like to work better with…
a. Groups
b. Individual projects
2) I enjoy going to parties and social events.
a. True
b. False
3) I like to think of working with…
a. People
b. Computers or Writing Projects
4) Large crowds make me feel
a. Energized
b. Uncomfortable
5) When I feel exhausted, I like to…
a. Get together with friends
b. Spend time alone
6) I enjoy the idea of spending many hours alone.
a. False
b. True
7) People would call me “quiet” or “shy.”
a. False
b. True
8) In group settings, I usually take the lead.
a. True
b. False
9) I often ignore calls or text messages until I feel more comfortable taking them.
a. False
b. True
10) I like to take the first turn speaking.
a. True
b. False
11) I work best in…
a. Group or busier settings
b. Quiet settings (such as libraries)
12) My friends would say one of my strongest qualities is my…
a. Friendliness
b. Independence
If you answered with more A’s, you are probably more extroverted (energized by spending time with
other people or working with peers). If you answered with more B’s, you are probably more introverted
(energized by spending time alone and working independently). This is an example of a test you can take
to learn more about yourself. Taking these tests can help you figure out what job or volunteer position
might be a good fit for you. For instance, someone more extroverted might do well in customer service
and someone more introverted might do well working in bookkeeping or programming.

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PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education 2016: YOUTH LEADERSHIP STRAND
There are tons of great sites to learn more about your own
strengths, interests, and preferences. Check out the following
for these assessments and more:

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PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education 2016: YOUTH LEADERSHIP STRAND
Thinking about all of these big steps might feel overwhelming
at first, but there’s really nothing to it. Start with the small
steps and you’ll be living an independent, self-determined life
in no time.
Start today by thinking about some things you can change
RIGHT NOW to become more self-determined. Share with your
family, friends, and educators. What better day than today?