Helping Your Teen Speak Up for Themselves
Dana Baker-Williams
ADHD & Anxiety Coach for Parents, Teens & Young Adults *ADHD *Anxiety *2e, *Author *Speaker *CHADD/ADDitude
Have you ever watched your teen or young adult stay silent when they clearly need help? Maybe they don’t ask a teacher for extra time on a test, struggle to say no to friends, or avoid speaking up when uncomfortable. For many of our kids—especially those with ADHD and Anxiety—self-advocacy feels intimidating, even when they know they need support.
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So, how do we help them find their voice?
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It starts with building self-awareness. If your teen struggles to express their needs, they may not even fully understand them. Encourage them to reflect: What situations feel overwhelming? What would make them easier? Sometimes, just naming the challenge is the first step to problem-solving or overcoming it. ?
From there, help them practice self-expression in low-stakes situations. Maybe that’s ordering their own food at a restaurant, texting a teacher about a late assignment, or telling a friend they need a break. I remember sitting with my daughter while she crafted her first email to a teacher and again when I had her order a pizza on the phone--not on an app! This stuff can be scary when you're young and haven't done it yet. Small wins lead to confidence. ?
Most importantly,?create a home environment where their voices are heard. When they express frustration or concerns, validate their feelings instead of jumping straight to problem-solving or getting cranky yourself. When kids feel their opinions matter at home, they’re more likely to advocate for themselves in the outside world. ?
Self-advocacy is a skill—one that takes time and practice to build. If your teen struggles to speak up for themselves, I’d love to help them gain confidence in expressing their needs or support you as you teach them these life skills. Book a consultation with me today. ?
?? Where you will find me this week:
Free Summit for Parents of Teens
This is a quick reminder that I'm speaking at the upcoming summit for parents of teens! My session will focus on building resilience in our teenagers—something we could all use more of in today's world. There are many other topics, including goals and dreams, punishments and consequences, blended families, and brain science, so why not grab your free ticket?? https://bit.ly/teenresiliencedana
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For Marin Locals
?? For anyone local, I am hosting a workshop at the Marin Teen Girls Conference, a day designed to connect, empower, and help our girls soar. There's a career panel, career workshops, mental health and leadership programs, yoga, pilates, and other ways to move! My workshop is about anxiety and mastering stress with simple tools. It's for teens, run by teens!! And FREE! It's on March 2.?Register now
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Warmly,
Dana
ADHD & Anxiety Coach
For Parents, Teens, And Young Adults
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Chief Enrollment Officer at Winston Preparatory Schools, Speech-Language Pathologist
3 天前Thank you Dana. Your expertise and understanding of the adolescent social- emotional profile provides such valuable guidance and support for families. We at Winston Prep highly recommend following Dana and implementing her suggestions and supports!