Self-Advocacy Skills for Neurodivergent Kids: Promoting Autonomy and Inclusion

Support neurodivergent children's rights through self-advocacy development. Emphasize communication access, autonomy, and confidence-building in speech therapy to help children, including non speaking ones, speak up and thrive

Published On Oct 15, 2025

By Ranjitha Ganesh

Late diagnosed autistic person and also mother of an autistic teenager

Communication does not necessarily have to verbal and communication in any form must be respected. The interventions supporting communication, not just speech, should be encouraged and this should be a norm in therapy centres or educational institutions. Promotion of autonomy in neurodivergent individuals is crucial. It is important to teach neurodivergent children the need to stand up for themselves. Their rights and needs must be respected and honoured.

So, what is self-advocacy?

It is the ability to speak up for one self and assert one’s needs, rights, and interests.

If a person is non-speaking, does it mean they cannot develop self-advocacy skills?

No, non-speaking does not mean non-thinking. Being able to voice your opinion and being heard creates a sense of belonging. This is a very essential part of inclusion for neurodivergent individuals in the society. The neurodivergent individual has to be taught to be unapologetic for their needs.

How do we teach Self advocacy to Neurodivergent children?

  • Develop Self awareness
  • Model and practice communication
  • Allow and encourage decision-making

Role of parents in developing self-advocacy

  • Involve children in the decisions pertaining to their life, even smaller ones like choosing their clothes, their meal, play time and so on
  • Develop problem-solving skills in them. Let them figure out solutions in everyday situations rather than jumping in to fix their problems.
  • Empower them by providing access to communication.
  • Instil confidence in them to voice their feelings.

Self advocacy skills should be taught to children at grassroots level (schools and homes). We need to create a society which has more confident children and adults, who can protect their boundaries and speak up for themselves — an egalitarian society, where every person has equal rights, every voice has a right to be heard. True social justice is where neurodiversity is embraced. — every individual thrives, not just survives.

Note-

This blog is created with the intention to create awareness and empathy towards the neurodivergent population.