Middle School Interest and Self-Advocacy Inventory for Special Ed

This early transition interest and self-advocacy inventory helps middle school students in special education share what they like, what they are good at, how they learn, and what helps them.

Why I made this: A seventh grader once sat through her whole IEP meeting without saying a word, then told me she did not know she was allowed to talk. I made this so middle schoolers can practice small, real self-advocacy skills before the big high school questions arrive.

What’s included:

- A 20-page PDF

- A teacher page with exact counts, timing, and how to use the results, plus how to give it

- 16 picture-and-word interest items and 12 strength items, rated with words, not faces

- 10 "how I learn best" items

- 12 "what I am curious about" cluster cards, a 3-column sort mat, and a recording page

- 10 support items, 6 ways to ask for a break or help, and a "my supports in my words" page

- A "my voice at my IEP meeting" starter with sentence starters, and a spring re-check page

- A family voice page, a teacher observation page, and a 2-page summary with 6 first-step goal starters

How to use it: Give the student pages over 2 short sessions and read them aloud as needed. Send the family page home or complete it on a call. Watch the student for a week or two before filling out the teacher page. Bring it together on the summary pages and pick one or two goal starters.

Who it’s for: Middle school special education teachers, case managers, and counselors working with students in grades 6 to 8, including students who are just starting to read.

Format: PDF, US Letter, 20 pages. Prints well in black and white.

Jeremy D. Gooch, 20+ years in education.