Young adults exist in an in-between place. They are no longer children, free from responsibility, but they are still very much learning how to navigate the world. For those with disabilities, the challenges are even greater, unless they have support and accommodations. Programs with specialist resources for developmental disabilities can teach practical skills and build confidence.
What skills do young adults need to live independently?
Independent living means being able to carry out everyday activities such as washing and dressing yourself, preparing and cooking food, performing regular household chores, shopping, managing your finances, communicating with others, and generally organizing your life. It could also include work and related skills.
Not all young adults with disabilities will be able to do all of these things. The aim is to improve as many of these skills as possible, so the individual can maximize their independence, while still ensuring they have support when necessary.
Why day programs?
Developmental disabilities day programs are not as intensive as residential programs, especially if offered on a part-time basis. They can provide a structured and supportive environment, staffed by experienced professionals with resources for developmental disabilities, while ensuring that the young adult still has time for family, other commitments such as work, and hobbies, social events, and fun.
How do day programs for young adults with disabilities work?
Day programs can provide life skills activities for adults with disabilities. These involve teaching and practising what they will need to live independently. This may include the skills needed for household and budget management, it may involve communication and social skills, and it could also incorporate foundational skills such as language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy.
To teach these skills, the program may include opportunities to handle real money with a debit card that can be used on-site, role-play situations for rehearsing social skills, the use of assistive technology such as speech-to-text to aid with communication, or work experience placements. There may also be social events involving attendees so they can continue to practise their skills in a more fun, relaxed way.
Participating in these programs also provides attendees with a chance to identify their own strengths and interests, which can help them plan their path for adult life. Expert staff can help them set realistic goals and monitor their progress as they aim for specific aspects of independent adulthood.
Why is independent living so important?
Independent living is not just about being able to survive on your terms, with less reliance on others. It is also about self-esteem and knowing you are in control of your own life. Young adults with disabilities should know they can make their own choices to pursue their goals based on their strengths and interests. They should feel confident that even when they face new and unfamiliar challenges as adults, they have the problem-solving skills they need to navigate them, the self-advocacy skills to ask for accommodations if needed, and the awareness of when and how to ask for help. This should, in turn, lead to them being happier and healthier, with less anxiety.
Conclusion
Many young adults with disabilities will find it challenging to learn the skills they need to live independently. Day programs can help build these skills, and with them, confidence, so they can live life on their own terms.
