Teaching students how to participate in their IEPs is one way of helping them become better
self-advocates. They learn to apply self-determination, goal setting, and self-evaluation skills.
When preparing students to lead their own IEPs, parents and teachers should capitalize on
developing skills related to self-advocacy and self-determination. These skills include: making
and implementing choices based on personal needs, interests, and values and taking actions in
one’s own behalf. Students need to learn to accept their disability, understand what skills they
need to acquire, and know how to seek assistance.