Self-Determination Skills of Adolescents Enrolled in Special Education: An Analysis of Four Cases

Abstract

This study provides information about four adolescent students participating in an occupation-based self-determination program drawn from the Model of Self-Determination and the Model of Human Occupation. Students were selected from a Career Lab based on their ability to participate. The analysis of the cases demonstrate that psycho-educational strategies incorporated into a special education curriculum can instill in the students the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors necessary for personal goal setting and attainment.

KEYWORDS:

• adolescents
• goal setting
• occupation
• resilience
• self-determination

The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of the Royal Palm Exceptional School educational and ancillary staff, Mikki Wilhite, MS, OTR/L, who was a graduate student in the Occupational Therapy Program at Florida Gulf Coast University at the time of the study, and the occupational therapy faculty at Florida Gulf Coast University. The case studies would not have been possible without the support of the parents.