Promoting Self-Determination in Students with Developmental Disabilities

Growing evidence suggests that self-determination is a significant factor in improving educational and transition outcomes in students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This volume reviews the breadth of available methods for teaching components of self-determination--including choice making, problem solving, decision making, goal setting, self-advocacy, and self-regulated learning--and provides best-practice recommendations that teachers can put to immediate use in the classroom. Grounded in theory and research, the strategies presented here have been shown to enhance students' involvement in educational planning and support them in meeting their goals in school, the workplace, and the community.

Michael L. Wehmeyer, PhD, is Professor, Department of Special Education; Director, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities; and Associate Director, Beach Center on Disability at the University of Kansas. He is the author of 195 refereed articles or book chapters and has authored or edited 20 books on disability and education-related issues pertaining to self-determination, transition, universal design for learning and access to the general curriculum for students with severe disabilities, and technology use by people with cognitive disabilities. He is a member of the board of directors and a fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, a past president of the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC) Division on Career Development and Transition, and editor-in-chief of Remedial and Special Education.  In 1999 Dr. Wehmeyer was the inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Early Career Research Award from the CEC’s Division for Research.  In 2003 he was awarded the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities National Education award.