Phew!
We made it adulthood! If you are still reading, I’m sure you have realized how
important it is to be prepared, thinking one step ahead. We hope you have found
some of our tips to be helpful. Thanks for reading!
Adulthood:
The
adult system is a whole new ball game. The rules and regulations are different
than the child/education system. Quality & availability of services differs
from state to state, so find out where your state falls and what your child’s
options are.
-A
lack of funding for adult services in many states makes it a challenge for
individuals to move onto something else. Many people wind up staying at home
with their families with little to do during the day. Depending on the severity
of their disability, parents often have to stay at home to care for their adult
child missing out on employment opportunities themselves.
-A
lack of life and job readiness skills is also an issue as well as a lack of
jobs in the community.
-Partner
with local agencies and non-profits with missions to create grassroots
movements around addressing some of these issues.
www.jjslist.com is a great
example.
-Let
your adult child decide their next steps, if possible. Society has a tendency
of boxing and labeling individuals with disabilities. We tell them what they
can and can't do and what they are or aren’t capable of. It is a culture of
compliance where individuals, who are largely dependent on their families or
the state, have to rely on others and do as they are told.
-No
matter how severe the disability, this process CAN and should be as person-centered
and self-directed as humanly possible.
-Consider
life skills tutoring to bolster independent living skills.
-NEVER
assume something isn’t possible. Though accomplishing certain goals or
mastering specific life skills may seem impossible, give it a chance. Even if
learning to use the computer, meal plan, budget or grocery shop takes 2 years
to learn, it is worth it in the end. Patience is important. Learning never
stops for any of us and those with disabilities are no different. Their
capacity to learn and grow is the same as you and I. Individuals may take
longer to acquire certain skills but this doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
-Be
prepared for life transitions. What will happen when you are gone? Though these
topics are tough and unpleasant to think about, having a plan is in everybody’s
best interest. Decide who will continue on with supporting your adult child
after you are gone. You might need to appoint someone as guardian or executor
of a trust. Consider utilizing agency support to help with some of this as well
as life skills tutoring, home care, respite, etc.
-See
Alyssa’s earlier post on creating a support team around your adult child. Having other
people to count on will be good for everyone.
The purpose of these posts
is to create a shift in thinking about disability. We encourage you all to see
your child and their life through a new lens. Disability is not just a lack of
something. Every human on earth has
deficits, though most of us aren’t labeled, categorized and stashed away in an
institution or shut in at their family home because of it.
As a society we need
to focus on creating person-centered solutions for folks with disabilities in
new and creative ways. They deserve the opportunity to have quality special
education, employment options, the ability to live in their communities, and
support services to learn the skills they need to live the lives they want to
live. They deserve a say in the matter.
THANKS FOR READING! MORE TO COME!
