Abstract
Children and youth with disabilities perform more poorly in transitional outcomes than their non-disabled peers. Programs are facing many changes because of these outcomes. Definitions are being revised, and new categories of exceptionalities are being recognized. Accountability measures are being put in place for people with disabilities. However, there is an important, current issue identified by researchers and individuals with disabilities—the issue of self-determination. This article explores how self-determination can and should be taught to children and youth with disabilities.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Agran, M. (1997). Student-Directed Learning: Teaching Self-Determination Skills. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.
Allen, W. T. (1989). Read My Lips: It’s My Choice. St Paul, MN: Governor’s Planning, Council on Developmental Disabilities.
American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (2000). (4th edn.), Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Bandura, A. B. (1977). Self-efficacy: toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84, 191–215.
Boekaerts, M., Pintrich, P. R., & Zeider, M. (2000). Handbook of Self-Regulation. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Bullis, M. (2000). Improving transitions results for students with behavioral disabilities. Research Connections in Special Education, 6, 5–6.
Carter, E. W., Lane, K. L., Pierson, M. R., & Glaeser, B. (2006). Self-determination skills and opportunities of transition-age youth with emotional disturbance and learning disabilities. Exceptional Children, 72, 333–346.
Coleman, (1966). Equality of Educational Opportunity. Washington, DC: US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
Deci, E. L. (1977). Some Thoughts on the Matter of Self-Determination and Will. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes on Health (Speech/conference paper).
Deci, E. L. (1980). The Psychology of Self-Determination. Toronto: Lexington Books.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior. New York: Plenum Press.
Field, S., Hoffman, A., St. Peter, S., & Sawilosky, S. (1992). Effects of disability labels on teachers’ perceptions of students’ self-determination. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 75(3), 931–935.
Field, S., & Hoffman, A. (1996). Steps to Self-Determination: A Curriculum to Help Adolescents Learn to Achieve their Goals. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
Field, S., Martin, J., Miller, R., Ward, M., & Wehmeyer, M. (1998). A Practical Guide for Teaching Self-Determination. Reston, VA: The Council for Exceptional Children.
Field, S., Hoffman, A., & Spezia, S. (1998). Self-Determination Strategies for Adolescents in Transition. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
Fullerton, A. (1995). Promoting self-determination for adolescents and young adults with autism. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 5, 337–346.
Hallahan, D. P., & Kauffman, J. M. (2006). Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Hasazi, S. B., Gordon, L. R., & Roe, C. A. (1985). Factors associated with employment status of handicapped youth exiting high school from 1979 to 1983. Exceptional Children, 51, 455–469.
Hoffman, A., & Field, S. (1995). Promoting self-determination through effective curriculum development. Intervention in School and Clinic, 30(3), 134–141.
Houchins, D. (1998). The Self-Determination of Youth with and without Disabilities Who have been Adjudicated. Dissertation. University of Florida.
Kerr, M. M., & Nelson, C. M. (2002). Strategies for Addressing Behavior Problems in the Classroom. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.
Marder, C. & D'Amica, R. (1992). How Well are Youth with Disabilities Really Doing? A Comparison of Youth with Disabilities and Youth in General. A Report from the National Longitudinal Transition Study of Special Education Students. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International
Martin, J., Marshall, H. L., & Maxson, L. (1993). Transition policy: infusing self-determination and self-advocacy into transition programs. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 16(1), 53–61.
Martin, J. E., & Marshall, L. H. (1995). ChoiceMaker: a comprehensive self-determination transition program. Intervention in School and Clinic, 30, 147–156.
Mathur, S. R., Kavale, K. A., Quinn, M. M., Forness, S. R., & Rutherford, R. B. (1998). Social skills interventions with students with emotional and behavioral problems: a quantitative synthesis of single-subject research.
Mithaug, D., Martin, L. H., & Agran, M. (1987). Adaptability instruction: the goal of transitional programming. Exceptional Children, 53, 500–505.
Mithaug, D. E. (1996). Equal Opportunity Theory. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
National transition study of education students statistical almanac series (1990). Menlo Park, CA: SRI International.
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (1992). Rehabilitation Act [Sect. 101.2 (a) [3]]. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
Rylance, B. J. (1997). Predictors of high school graduation or dropping out for youths with severe emotional disabilities. Behavioral Disorders, 23(1), 5–17.
Serna, L. A., & Lau-Smith, J. A. (1995). Learning with purpose: self-determination skills for students who are at risk for school and community failure. Intervention in School and Clinic, 30(3), 48–51.
Sheridan, S. M. (1995). The Tough Kid Social Skills Book. Longmont, CO: Sopris West.
Stine, D. (1999). The Effects of Teaching Self-Determination Skills to Secondary Students with Learning Disabilities. Dissertation. The Johns Hopkins University.
The Council for Exceptional Children (2006). Statistical profiles of special education in the United States, 2006. Supplement to Teaching Exceptional Children 26, (3), 549–567
Ward, M. J. (1988). The many facets of self-determination. Transitions Summary, 5, 2–4.
Ward, M. (1992). The OSERS initiative on self-determination. Interchange, 12, 1–7.
Wagner, M. (1991). The Benefits of Secondary Vocational Education for Young People with Disabilities. Paper presented to the Vocational Education Special Interest group. Chicago: American Educational Research Association.
Wehmeyer, M. (1992). Self-determination: critical skills for outcome-oriented transition services. Journal of Vocational Special Needs Education, 15(1), 3–7.
Wehmeyer, M. L., Kelchner, K., & Richards, S. (1995). Individual and environmental factors related to the self-determination of adults with mental retardation. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 5, 291–305.
Wehmeyer, M. L., Kelchner, K., & Richards, S. (1996). Essential characteristics of self-determined behaviors of adults with mental retardation and developmentaldisabilities. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 100, 632–642.
Wehmeyer, M. L., & Sands, D. J. (1996). Self-Determination Across the Life Span: Independence and Choice for People with Disabilities. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Wehmeyer, M. L., Sands, D. J., Doll, S., & Palmer, S. (1997). The development of self-determination and implications for education interventions with students with disabilities. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 44(4), 305–328.
Wehmeyer, M. L., & Schwartz, M. (1997). Self-determination and positive adult outcomes: a follow-up study of youth with mental retardation or learning disabilities. Exceptional Children, 63(2), 245–256.
West, M. D., Barcus, J. M., Brooke, V., Field, S., & Rayfield, R. G. (1995) An exploratory analysis of self-determination of persons with disabilities. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 5, 357–364.
White, W. J., Alley, G. R., Deshler, D. D., Schomaker, J. B., Warner, M. M., & Clark, F. L. (1982). Are there learning disabilities after high school? Exceptional Children, 49(3), 273–274.
Whitman, T. (1990). Self-regulation and mental retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 94, 347–362.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ackerman, B. Learning Self-determination: Lessons from the Literature for Work with Children and Youth with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities. Child Youth Care Forum 35, 327–337 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-006-9020-0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-006-9020-0