--- title: 5 self-advocacy sentence starters for middle-schoolers with DCD description: See how self-advocacy skills can help middle-schoolers with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Get suggestions on the kinds of things your child can say to teachers to help. slug: 6-things-your-middle-schooler-with-dcd-can-say-to-self-advocate author: The Understood Team reviewer: Mark J. Griffin, PhD published: '2019-10-01T19:43:06.942Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/4sYTOUUzqrNXrf865olizV/90a97283103f270dc95dedb381076b9e/41384840.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-things-your-middle-schooler-with-dcd-can-say-to-self-advocate lang: en --- # 5 self-advocacy sentence starters for middle-schoolers with DCD [Self-advocacy](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/4-tips-for-helping-your-middle-schooler-learn-to-self-advocate) is an essential tool for middle-schoolers with [developmental coordination disorder](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-developmental-coordination-disorder-dcd) (DCD). Kids this age may feel self-conscious about speaking up. But rehearsing with you at home can help. Here are some ideas about what your child can say. ## 1. “Can I get a different type of lock for my locker?” **Situation:** Your child is always late to gym class because the combination lock on the locker is hard to manage. **Your child can talk to the PE teacher and say:** “I’m late because I’m having [trouble managing that type of lock](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/download-how-to-open-a-combination-lock). Can I use a lock with a key or is there another place I can keep my clothes?” ## 2. “Is there another way I can show my work?” **Situation:** Your child’s math teacher says, “I can’t accept this homework. The graph is a mess and there are holes in the paper.” **Your child can say to the teacher:** “I know how to do the work. But I’m having a hard time with handwriting and using the compass. Is there another way I can show my work? Can we find some free time to talk more about this?” **Your child can say to you or the IEP team:** “Can we talk about [accommodations that I can use](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/at-a-glance-classroom-accommodations-for-dcd) in math class?” ## 3. “Can I have some extra time to finish writing down the answers?” **Situation:** Your child couldn’t finish an essay test because it took so much effort to write the answers. **Your child can speak to the teacher after class and say:** “I wasn’t able to finish writing my answers because writing by hand takes me so long. Can I schedule some extra time for me to get it done?” **Your child can say to you or the IEP team:** “Writing by hand takes a long time for me. Can I have extra time on essay tests, or can I type my answers?” ## 4. “Can you help me figure out a problem with a classmate?” **Situation:** A classmate says, “I don’t want to be your lab partner. You keep dropping things and can’t keep track of the papers we’re supposed to use.” **Your child can talk to the teacher after class and say:** “My lab partner doesn’t want to work with me. Can you help me figure out how to make this work? I like working with this partner, and I know they’re getting frustrated with me.” ## 5. “Can we talk about assistive technology?” **Situation:** Your child is having trouble coordinating the mouse to get the work done in computer science class. **Your child can talk to the teacher or the IEP team and say:** “I need a different way to do this. Is there a bigger mouse or some other [assistive technology](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/assistive-technology) I could try?” --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-things-your-middle-schooler-with-dcd-can-say-to-self-advocate#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-things-your-middle-schooler-with-dcd-can-say-to-self-advocate","description":"See how self-advocacy skills can help middle-schoolers with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). 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