Advocacy in Action: Strengths-First SBAR Scripts

Self-advocacy can be hard — especially if you’ve spent your life seeing (and being told) your needs are a deficit. It may feel unnatural to “frame yourself up” when you’ve been conditioned to expect judgment. But here’s the truth: explaining what works well for you gets people to listen and collaborate far more than leading with what you can’t do. A strengths-first approach keeps you out of the trap of talking yourself down. 

Each month, we share an Advocacy in Action script using the SBAR format: 

• Situation – State your strengths and the goal you’re working toward. 

• Background – Give context so your needs make sense. 

• Assessment – Explain the barrier or challenge. 

• Recommendation – Suggest a clear, actionable next step. 

These examples are starting points — adapt them to your own style and keep the focus on your strengths so you’re seen as capable, proactive, and solutions-minded. 

Month 1 — Understanding My Brain (Self-Discovery)

Scenario: Meeting or Class Format Change 

S – “I contribute my best ideas when I can prepare in advance.” 

B – “In fast-paced discussions, I sometimes need extra time to process and organize my thoughts.” 

A – “The current all-verbal format makes it harder for me to share my best input.” 

R – “Could agendas or discussion questions be shared 24 hours ahead so I can prepare and participate more fully?”