Long-Term Planning for your child with Autism…

Adult Autism, Advocating for your child, New Parents of Children with Autism, Parent Support, Uncategorized Comments (1)

Parents of children with disabilities face an undeniable reality of responsiblity related to long-term planning for their child’s adult independence.  Developing  objectives related to adult independence must be started early in childhood. Towards the end of elementary school and beginning of middle school years parents should begin planning and developing objectives around adult independence. 

Develop Vocational Skills

 Begin investigating your child’s abilities and planning for vocational skills by developing functional workplace skills. For each child these objectives will look very different. Find activities for your child to become involved in which encourage and foster development of specific interests and skills (i.e. robotics clubs, children’s engineering software, science clubs, etc.). Parents can also  encourage and develop vocaltion skills in your home by providing opportunities for your child to practice vocational skills (i.e. stacking groceries, unloading the dishwasher, etc.).

Develop Interpersonal Relationship Skills

Be sure to also directly work on developing your child’s interpersonal relationship skills by developing their abilities to advocate effectively for themselves, engage in appropriate conflict resolution skills, as well as other appropriate social behaviors. 

Develop Independent Daily Living Skills

Assist your child in developing his or her independence in daily living skills by developing his or her abilities to plan and cook meals,  complete other household chores, identify problems and create solutions to daily challenges, develop and follow schedules, set and accomplish goals.

For child with special needs early planning is an essential component of successful independent adult living.

AmyShymansky @ December 15, 2009

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