Self-Determination During Adolescence A Developmental Perspective

Adolescence, the tumultuous period from dependent childhood to independent or interdependent adulthood, is a critical time for the development and expression of self-determination. An instructional emphasis and support system for self-determination is particularly important for youth with disabilities. Adolescent development, embracing identity exploration and learned independence in youth, leads to self-awareness, one of the building blocks for self-determination. Successful transition to adulthood, fostered by one's ability to set and reach goals through decision making, is a necessary outcome of self-determination. Students' participation in their educational plans provides an important vehicle for the development and expression of self-determination in students with and without disabilities. A model for self-determination is presented that incorporates components of the skills and knowledge necessary for adolescents to realize their identities. Interventions aimed at promoting self-determination in youth, including curricular interventions, instructional strategies, and delivery settings, are discussed.