Page 27 - FamilyGuidetoTransitionServices-English

Independent living skills should be addressed in the Transition
Plan. These are skills or tasks that contribute to the successful
independent functioning of an adult in the domains of

leisure/recreation, home maintenance, personal care, and
community participation. Goals and objectives should include
as much self-care and independent management of health
conditions as possible to optimize adulthood employment,
independent living, and community participation.

Health and Transition to Adulthood

eaving school and creating an adult life present new
L opportunities and new challenges for everyone; how people
respond to those opportunities and challenges depends on
many things. Having a disability is just one factor of many
that can have an impact on someone’s transition to
adulthood; a person’s strengths and needs, likes and
dislikes, family’s expectations of what adult life should
look like, and where they live are all things that will help
shape the choices a person makes.

There are ways, however, that having
a disability can create unique challenges
when someone is in the process of transitioning to
adult life. For example, depending on the specifics
of the disability, some young adults have had little
experience doing things alone. In other cases, because
they have needed specialized supports for many years,
other young adults wonder if that means they will never
really be “grown up.”

One thing to keep in mind is that no one is comple tely “independent.” The
idea that adulthood means that people are able to do everything on their own
is a myth. All people, regardless of whether or not they have a disability, need
help reaching their goals. When we ask people we know and admire, they tell
us they didn’t achieve their successes without some help along the way. Just
watch someone winning an Oscar or an athlete getting a big sports awards—
they always spend time thanking those people who have helped them get to
where they are.
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