Self-Advocacy Sentence Starters/Tracker

Self-advocacy is an essential skill that empowers individuals to express their needs, preferences, and rights effectively. Here are some helpful sentence starters to guide you in advocating for yourself in various situations:

1. Expressing Needs:

   • "I would like to share my thoughts on..."
   • "It’s important for me to communicate that..."
   • "I need support with..."

2. Setting Boundaries:

   • "I feel uncomfortable when..."
   • "I prefer to handle this situation by..."
   • "It's essential for me to maintain my boundaries regarding..."

3. Requesting Accommodations:

   • "I would appreciate it if you could..."
   • "Could we discuss potential adjustments to..."
   • "In order to perform my best, I need..."

4. Seeking Clarification:

   • "Could you please clarify what you mean by...?"
   • "I’m not certain I understand; could you explain...?"
   • "I'd like to ensure I’m on the same page as you regarding..."

5. Providing Feedback:

   • "I believe it would be more effective if..."
   • "I felt that the previous approach didn’t work because..."
   • "I appreciate your efforts, but I think we can improve by..."
6. Expressing Feelings:
   • "I feel frustrated when..."
   • "It concerns me that..."
   • "I’m excited about the opportunity to..."

Using these sentence starters can help you articulate your thoughts and feelings clearly, making it easier to engage in constructive dialogue. Remember, self-advocacy is about recognising your worth and ensuring your voice is heard. Keep track of your experiences and reflections in a journal to reinforce your skills and confidence over time.