What Is Self-Determination?

In principle, self-determination is a concept that recognizes that all people have the right, responsibility, and authority to express and exercise freedom of choice in their own lives, and to live and learn according to those choices.

In practice, self-determination is a combination of skills, knowledge, and beliefs that enable a person to engage in goal-directed, self-regulated, autonomous behavior.  An understanding of one’s strengths and limitations, together with a belief in oneself as capable and effective are essential to self-determination.  When acting on the basis of these skills and attitudes, individuals have greater ability to take control of their lives and assume the role of successful adults in our society (Field, Martin, Miller, Ward, & Wehmeyer, 1998). 

Self-determined action has four unique characteristics:

  1. Autonomy
  2. Self-regulation
  3. Psychologically empowered self-initiation
  4. Self-realization

Research suggests that positive adult outcomes for people with disabilities are related to how effectively they are able to incorporate the skills associated with these characteristics into their lives.  With that relationship, the need to teach and foster skills for self-determination is compelling (Wehmeyer, Agran, & Hughes, 1998). 

The Principles of Self-Determination

The principles of self-determination are made up of 7 distinct categories:

 

Students

Teachers

1.  Freedom

Students should have the freedom to:

  • Make appropriate choices based on their personal preferences.
  • Participate in decisions that directly affect the quality of their lives.
  • Advocate for themselves
  • Manage their day-to-day activities.
  • Set personal goals.
  • Create action plans to achieve their goals.

Teachers should support students in exercising their freedom by supporting their preferences and decisions as they manage their day-to-day activities, make appropriate choices, set personal goals, and advocate for themselves.

2.  Rights

Students should be aware of their rights under the law, and be able to make decisions and advocate for themselves based upon those rights.

Teachers should ensure that their students are educated regarding their rights under the law, and should help their students apply their understanding of those rights.

3. Authority

Students should be able to express their needs and preferences in a clear & authoritative manner.  Students should also be actively engaged in directing their own learning.

Teachers should support the authority of each student to control all aspects of his/her life and education.

4. Responsibility

Students should be able to engage in active problem solving so that they can more readily take responsibility for their choices and consequences of those choices

Teachers should educate and engage students in active problem solving activities to help them evaluate their choices and the consequences of those choices.

5. Respect

Students’ choices and actions should demonstrate a fundamental respect for all persons.

Teachers should demonstrate a fundamental respect for the freedom, rights, and authority of their students.

6. Creativity

Students should be able to creatively problem solve to reach their goals.

Teachers should support their students’ creativity and should encourage them to come up with innovative goals and solutions to achieve their goals.

7. Interdependence

Students should recognize when they need assistance, and be comfortable with asking for help from friends, family, teachers, and other people in the community

Teachers should help students recognize when they need to ask for assistance and how to do so appropriately.

What is Self-Determination? | Table of Contents | Alaska Content Standards and Principles of Self-Determination