--- title: 6 self-advocacy sentence starters for grade-schoolers with DCD description: A great way to help grade-schoolers with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is to start working on self-advocacy skills. Here are some comments you can suggest for your child. slug: 6-things-your-grade-schooler-with-dcd-can-say-to-self-advocate author: The Understood Team reviewer: Mark J. Griffin, PhD published: '2019-10-01T19:48:20.458Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/7B9D934C59C64FB09A607BCEE5AE3691/33fd858ff4de7fe3739b9cfab2c85eef/68385287.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-things-your-grade-schooler-with-dcd-can-say-to-self-advocate lang: en --- # 6 self-advocacy sentence starters for grade-schoolers with DCD It’s important for grade-schoolers with [developmental coordination disorde](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-developmental-coordination-disorder-dcd)r (DCD) to start working on [self-advocacy skills](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-importance-of-self-advocacy). Here are some ideas you can use to help your child practice saying these kinds of things to you and to teachers. ## 1. “Can I get a bigger space to write in?” **Situation:** Your child fails a math test because of trouble [writing the answers](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/at-a-glance-classroom-accommodations-for-dcd) to the problems on the correct line. **Your child can talk to the teacher after class and say:** “I know the answers, but it’s hard for me to write in that small space. Can we make it bigger somehow?” ## 2. “Can I have more time to copy from the board?” **Situation:** The teacher erases the spelling words from the board before your child can finish copying them down. **Your child can talk to the teacher after class and say:** “It takes me a long time to write the spelling words down. Can I have a copy of the list to keep at my desk?” ## 3. “The substitute teacher doesn’t understand my challenges.” **Situation:** Your child bumps into other kids in line and the substitute teacher says, “Stop clowning around.” **Your child can go up to the substitute and say:** “I have trouble keeping my body in my own space. I usually stand at the front or back of the line.” **Your child can ask you to talk to the IEP team:** “Can someone at school talk to substitutes ahead of time so they know I need to be at the back of the line?” ## 4. “Can I have a little more time to get ready for recess?” **Situation:** Your child keeps missing recess time because it takes a long time to change into outdoor clothes. **Your child can speak to the teacher and say:** “I’m working as fast as I can to get my stuff on, but it’s hard for me. Can I have some extra time to get ready? I don’t want to miss recess.” **Your child can ask you to talk to the IEP team:** “I don’t like having to keep asking for extra time to get dressed. How can we make sure the teachers know?” ## 5. “Can I have some extra help with the dance moves?” **Situation:** Your child is having trouble following the choreography for the annual winter concert. **Your child can talk to the music teacher after class and say:** “I want to be able to do this like the other kids. Can we work on it together without the other kids around?” **Your child can talk to you or the IEP team and say:** “I’m really worried about messing up at the concert. Could I stand in the back, so people won’t see if I do?” ## 6. “Can you help me figure out what to say to other kids about my DCD?” **Situation:** Another kid asks, “Why can’t you cut along the lines in art class?” **Your child can talk to the teacher after class and say:** “Kids are asking why I can’t use scissors the right way. I don’t know what to say to them. Can you help me?” **Your child can talk to you or the occupational therapist and say: **“Kids are telling me I don’t know [how to use scissors](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/why-is-my-child-fumbling-with-scissors). Can you help me practice?” --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-things-your-grade-schooler-with-dcd-can-say-to-self-advocate#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-things-your-grade-schooler-with-dcd-can-say-to-self-advocate","description":"A great way to help grade-schoolers with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is to start working on self-advocacy skills. 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