Definition
Self-advocacy is the practice of speaking up for oneself, communicating needs, rights, and preferences. In the disability context, the self-advocacy movement emerged from people with developmental disabilities demanding the right to make their own decisions.
Why It Matters
Self-advocacy skills are essential for autistic people navigating schools, healthcare, workplaces, and social systems. Supporting self-advocacy means creating space for autistic people to communicate their own needs.
Common Misconception
Self-advocacy is not rudeness or non-compliance. It is the practice of asking for what you need. Supporting self-advocacy is more important than compliance with what others think is best.