How self-advocacy plays a role in managing symptoms for individuals withdevelopmental disabilities
By Evangelina Barineau
For individuals with a developmental disability, several factors are present. Education:
for the self, the support system, and others. How the disability affects one’s ability to think,
process information, and relay that information. How this differs from the type of functioning
that society is used to. What are the symptoms of this disability? Which symptoms are most
prevalent and need the most support? What does that support look like, and how can it be
provided? Self-advocacy plays a huge role in how symptoms are managed internally and
externally.
Say an individual has autism spectrum disorder. One of the symptoms is sensitivity to
sensory processing, including sound, light, and touch (Epstein, 2026). Understanding the
symptoms is vital, but self-advocacy is what manages them. If an individual has a specific
sensitivity to sound, it might make sense that they’re going to frequently experience
overstimulation and sensory meltdowns. However, it does not have to be this way. These
symptoms can be managed to minimize them as much as possible. They do not have to be taken at face value. There are several tools that play a positive role in addressing one's symptoms, and self-advocacy opens the door for that.
Sensitivity to sound is an invisible symptom that can be dysregulating but is also
preventable. Accommodations exist for work, school, etc. An example of this is sensory
headphones that reduce auditory overload. One must self-advocate for their developmental
disorder to receive the necessary accommodations that meet their needs and reduce their overall symptoms. The support is not always this simple, as each developmental disability and its symptoms differ. Still, it is essential to set oneself up for success, so to speak.
Another symptom of autism spectrum disorder is differences in communication and
socialization. This can look like maintaining a specific tone during conversations, reduced eye
contact, reduced ability to understand social cues such as sarcasm, etc. (Epstein, 2026). These symptoms are not going to need the same support that sensitivity to sensory processing does. Yet, through self-advocacy, one can ensure that they are setting the necessary boundaries, such as knowing one’s limits of their social battery and making sure others know as well. Others are more likely to be understanding during socializing if they are made aware of one's developmental disability and what the symptoms look like. This way, the individual’s social battery is maintained, and communication requires less effort than it would if self-advocacy was not applied.
Others might be aware of one’s developmental disability but not fully understand what
the symptoms present as and what support they need. Assuming, even if it is the best, is the
opposite of self-advocacy. Closed mouths do not get fed. This applies to everyone but is
particularly necessary for individuals with developmental disorders, as the support they need is not always represented in society.
There is no doubt that there are gaps in educating the public about developmental
disabilities. Still, one is individually responsible for their own self-advocacy. This does not mean that an individual is expected to deal with the symptoms all on their own and with no support. That is never the solution. Rather, the opposite, support is crucial in maintaining one’s quality of life, and self-advocacy is the first step in receiving this support.
Sources
Epstein, D. (2026, July 28). Autism signs & symptoms explained through biochemistry,
methylation, and oxidative stress. Second Opinion Physician.
disorders/
