Adulthood… the time when your children go from “little people” (as my wife calls them) to full-fledged adults.
It’s a time where on one hand, they start needing you less and less, but when they DO need you, it’s for bigger things than a scraped knee or to remind them to put away their laundry.
It’s a time when they are now legally able to vote, smoke a cigarette, make their own medical decisions, and choose what they want to do for a career.
Being a parent of special needs child, it is also a time where your child may… or may NOT… be ready for this next phase of their life.
They may need support services, help with independent living, and finding a job or career.
I experienced this firsthand with my son.
Some of the questions we found ourselves asking were:
- How will my child hold a job? Can we find job coaching or mentoring to support him?
- How do I find help to teach him the life skills he needs?
- Are there independent living accommodations for my child that also offers support services when needed?
The short answer we discovered… is YES! 😊
He has overcome a lot in his adult life.
It took us awhile to get him there… AND we did!
Today, almost 10 years later (feels like a lifetime ago…WHEW!), he is living on his own, driving a car, found a job he loves, AND even paying his own bills!
He has come a long way thanks to careful planning, working within his own capabilities and his own readiness to grow, AND finding the right support services.
If you find yourself facing this situation and asking yourself some of the same questions we did… Then this week’s article is for YOU!!
Today’s article focuses on how to get started with helping your special needs adult child find support services, employment, job training, life coaching, independent living training, and a host of other topics!
Let’s get started! 😊
Adulthood (18+)
Key Focus: Decision-making Authority, Post-Secondary Education, Employment, Life Skills, and Independent Living
Despite what some teenagers may say, adulthood officially starts at age 18 when a person reaches what is called the “age of majority” in the United States.
Young adulthood – those critical years between 18-25 — is a time of significant transition for all individuals, but it presents especially unique challenges and opportunities for special needs young adults.
Your special needs child’s focus shifts to preparing for a fulfilling and independent life, researching the best post-secondary education situation, finding gainful employment and career pathways, and developing independent living skills.
It’s A LOT!
Some individuals with disabilities – and their families – may or may not be fully ready for the sudden shift of increased amount of implied responsibility and independence that is thrust on them at that time.
It can make them feel overwhelmed — which is where this article comes in! 😊
As a parent, you’ll want to help them as much as possible, but even for you it can get overwhelming and daunting.
This is why support services are needed to help your special needs adult child find the resources and services they need to be successful in this transition.
Support Services Available For Your Adult Special Needs Child
Decision-Making Authority
Regardless of their cognitive abilities, developmental delays, or medical needs, the day a person turns 18, they are suddenly recognized as a “legal adult.”
For parents of children with special needs, that means the “natural guardianship” they have been used to having has vanished.
Now, without a legal structure in place, parents can no longer sign medical consent forms, access school records, or manage bank accounts for their child.
In many cases that is not a problem and is a normal part of the transition towards independence for a young adult.
But in other cases that can present a real challenge for some families if the adult child with disabilities is not fully capable of taking over these responsibilities themself.
We will get into more details and specifics around these situations in our upcoming article on Guardianship and Alternatives to Guardianship (stay tuned!).
For now, the most important thing to know is to:
- Recognize that this change in decision-making authority is coming
- Think about what arrangements will be best for child’s unique needs and situation
- Educate yourself around the options available before that day comes when they turn 18.
Post-Secondary Education Support
College can be a daunting experience for anyone.
For your special needs child, it can even be more harrowing.
However with the right support system, special needs students can not only survive but thrive, and I dare say, even excel!
Research the disability services offered by different colleges and find a program that meets your needs.
This is WAY more important than the school’s curriculum or even the degree your child wants to pursue.
Without the right support, your child is literally going into battle with one hand tied behind their back.
Colleges and universities are required to provide accommodations for students with disabilities under theAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
These accommodations may include extended test times, note-taking assistance, preferential seating, and access to assistive technology.
These accommodations don’t simplify the curriculum, does not enable a person with a disability to avoid class assignments, or do any less work than their non-disabled peers.
However, these accommodations do help to make the same content more accessible and remove some of the barriers to performance that many people may face.
And the driver for having these additional support services made available for your special needs child?
Our “friend” … the IEP! 😊
Speaking from experience, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is THE document that your child MUST have in order to have a successful post-secondary or vocational experience.
Although colleges & universities are not obligated to follow the requirements of IEPs or 504 Plans, the services & support outlined in those plans are still the guidelines that parents and individuals with disabilities will use to request the specific accommodations they feel will best enable them to be successful in post-secondary educational settings.
Part of the student’s IEP includes setting goals for:
- Post-secondary education
- Vocational training
- Career exploration
- Independent living
And much more!
Many colleges also have Disability Services offices that provide support and resources for students with special needs.
These offices can help students navigate the college environment, access accommodations, help with advocacy and other challenges, and connect them with other students with disabilities in a supportive community.
Some colleges also offer specialized programs specifically designed for students with disabilities that provide even more additional support and guidance.
The specific settings and accommodations that will best fit your child depend on their profile and their support needs, so do your research, visit the schools, and talk to the Disability Services departments as well as other parents and alumni who have gone there.
Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
What do you do if college is not the right thing for your adult special needs child, but they still want a career?
That’s ok, it wasn’t the right thing for my special needs son either… I get it.
It’s not the end of their world if your special needs child does not want to go to college. In fact, it’s only the beginning!
There are other paths they can take to find their independence and place in the world.
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs are a lifeline for special needs adults seeking employment.
They provide training, coaching, supported employment services, and other resources needed to help special needs adults overcome barriers, find/retain employment, and achieve career success.
VR counselors work with individuals to assess their skills and interests, develop a career plan, and provide job placement assistance.
Supported employment services provide ongoing support and coaching to help individuals succeed in their jobs.
A great example of this is Teaching Special needs Community Trades (TACT) out of Englewood , CO or the IT Cybersecurity program my son took at the Living and Learning Center in Northville, MI.
TACT teaches a variety of skill trades through their Career Track program, including:
- Computer Science
- Auto Mechanic
- Welding
- Carpentry
- Culinary Arts
- Electrician / Electrical Technology
- Much more!
TACT offers in-depth trade training in the trade of your choice with the goal of employment in competitive, integrated environments.
TACT also provides help with job placement and ongoing mentorship.
Classes run on a typical academic calendar with Fall and Spring semester enrollment.
If interested, click here to learn more.
Regarding the Living and Learning Center, I can’t speak enough about the great work Rachelle Vartanian and her team are doing for the special needs community in my home state.
Her organization provides a wealth of services and programs from art classes, social skills groups, and summer camps to vocational job skills (including the IT Cybersecurity program I told you about previously that they call the IT Academy).
If interested, click here to learn more.
To find vocational programs in your area, Connect with your state’s Department of Labor or Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Organizations like the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and USA.gov’s disability services page provide guidance on employment rights and services
Life Skills Development
The transition to adulthood is not just about college and/or working.
It is also about developing the ability to function on your own, safely, and without always having to rely on parents or other adults.
This is especially important when also combined with independent living and housing situations (see more below).
Life skills development is a plethora of things such as:
- How to use public transportation and other services that enable independence?
- How to cook their own meals?
- How to do their own laundry?
- How to pay their own bills and manage their own money?
- And much more!
Life skills development enables your children to build confidence and become self-sufficient AND reduces your burden in the process!
Many high school programs for students with disabilities focus on life skills development as part of their transition planning.
However, many parents also supplement those programs with additional classes or activities in the community, or by coaching and training their children in those life skills themselves.
Community Habilitation (Com-Hab) workers provided through many Managed Care Organizations may also provide a good deal of life skills development training.
As always, each individual with disabilities is going to have different life skills that they need to focus on developing in order to have the most successful, independent living experiences they can.
Talk to your child’s medical, educational, and therapeutic professionals and well as their Care Managers, Guidance Counselors and everyone else who works with them – as well as your child themselves! – to determine what is needed and what is best for your situation.
Housing and Independent Living Services
Independent living is a major milestone for all adult children, but it can be especially nerve-wracking for parents of children with disabilities.
Yes, it may seem scary to think about your child not living with you in your home, but ultimately this is the best thing for everyone.
Living on their own is not just for building their independence but also in preparation for when we are not physically able to care for them ourselves and eventually when we are not around anymore.
Fortunately, there are many services and programs that can help make the transition smoother.
Supported living programs, group homes, and life coaches help with transitioning to independent or semi-independent living arrangements.
These services provide varying levels of support depending on the individual’s needs.
Key features of assisted living for adults with disabilities include:
- Tailored Care: Services are customized to meet the individual needs of residents.
- Activities of Daily Living Assistance: Help with tasks like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
- Community Living: Residents have their own apartments within a community setting.
- Social Activities: Opportunities for interaction and engagement.
- Transportation: Assistance with getting around.
- Supportive Housing: Organizations like Volunteers of America provide supportive housing and services for people with disabilities.
- In-home care: Home health care may be covered by Medicare if a doctor certifies the need.
- Specialized Facilities: Some facilities specialize in specific types of special needs, such as intellectual or developmental disabilities.
If struggling to find assisted living options for your special needs child, here are a few resources I found in my research:
- A Place for Mom provides a platform to find facilities that meet specific needs.
- SeniorLiving.org offers resources and information on assisted living options for disabled adults.
- BrightStar Care provides disability and special needs care services.
How To Pay For Independent Living Services?
I’m glad you asked! 😊
Financial assistance is available if struggling to figure out how to afford the type of specialized housing situation your child needs.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can help cover the cost of assisted living.
- Medicaid can also be used to pay for long-term care including assisted living.
- See the next section to learn more! 😊
Financial Support Programs
Navigating the world of financial assistance can be complex, but it’s essential to ensure long-term financial security.
I highly recommend consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in special needs planning to explore your options… Like Zeke! 😊
Schedule a call with my friend Zeke Zimmerman here!
Also, Medicaid (and Medicaid waivers), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and creating a special needs trust can provide financial assistance for your special needs adult.
Medicaid waivers can help cover the cost of services such as therapy, personal care, and supported living.
SSI provides monthly income to individuals with disabilities who meet certain income and resource requirements.
Special needs trusts can be used to protect assets and ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to the resources they need without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits.
How to Use These Services Effectively:
- Research College Resources: Contact disability services offices early to arrange accommodation. Don’t wait until the last minute to request accommodation.
- Connect with Employment Programs: Explore Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and inquire about services for job placement and coaching. These programs can provide invaluable support.
- Plan for Independence: Practice life skills at home and explore supported, independent living options that you feel will be a good fit for your child and your family. The more prepared you are, the smoother the transition will be.
Summary
Raising a special needs child presents a unique journey filled with both profound joys and significant challenges.
As children grow into young adults, their needs naturally evolve.
Becoming a young adult (ages 18-25) is where all that hard work preparing your special needs child comes to fruition.
The transition period from 18 to 25 years old is particularly crucial for special needs individuals because it is all about applying the work you have been doing their entire life.
Depending on the level of their support needs, this is often the period when many young adults with disabilities really start to take more responsibility for their own care.
It is also the period when parents have to take important steps around maintaining decision-making authority or transitioning it to their young adult child, ensuring they have developed the habits to be successful long-term, and setting up the support services needed to build their external safety net in case they need help down the road.
It sounds like a lot because it is…… but it is WELL worth it!
Nothing gives me more joy than seeing my son drive off to work on his own, pay his own bills, and complain about how much the government takes out of his check in taxes while he cooks me a meal of beef brisket and mac ‘n’ cheese at his house.
Sounds like problems a traditional young adult might have, doesn’t it? 😊
Live The Life You Love, Want, And Deserve! 😊