- independent living, Parents
Transitioning to independent living is a major milestone for young adults, but for those on the autism spectrum or with learning differences, the path to success often requires extra preparation and focus. While independence is an inevitable part of adulthood, achieving it successfully involves addressing key areas that will help young adults navigate the challenges of life on their own. Here are four critical success factors that parents and students should focus on to increase the likelihood of a smooth transition to adulthood.
Let's Begin By...
Reducing Dependency
Currently, your young adult may rely on you for various tasks, such as managing their schedule, preparing meals, or handling household chores. The primary goal before they leave home is to gradually increase their independence. This process should be approached methodically, using the prompting hierarchy to reduce dependence over time. By encouraging personal responsibility and gradually shifting tasks to your young adult, you can help them feel more confident in managing their own needs.
Teaching Basic Skills
It’s easy to assume your young adult knows how to handle everyday responsibilities, but often they may need more guidance than expected. Teaching basic skills requires breaking tasks down into smaller, manageable steps to avoid overwhelming them. For example, demonstrating how to cook a simple meal or clean a room, and providing checklists they can refer to when you’re not around, can help them develop competence and confidence.
Click to download an example weekly checklist
Setting Expectations
Clear communication is essential when preparing for independent living. Having a conversation about expectations—however uncomfortable—ensures everyone is on the same page. It’s important to set incremental goals leading toward full independence, helping the young adult stay focused without becoming overwhelmed. These goals can range from mastering daily routines to building social skills and managing time effectively.
Exploring 4 Critical Success Factors for Transitioning to Independent Living:
#1: Cleaning and Organizing
For a successful transition, learning how to maintain a clean and organized living space is crucial.
Teach Basic Cleaning Skills: Walk through each cleaning task, from washing dishes to vacuuming, while modeling proper techniques. Be clear about your expectations and reinforce positive habits.
Break Tasks Down: By breaking tasks into smaller steps, such as “wipe down counters” or “sort laundry,” the tasks feel more manageable and less daunting.
Set Realistic Expectations: Setting clear, realistic expectations from the beginning helps the young adult establish a routine they can sustain once living independently.
Use Task Lists: To foster independence, create task lists with your young adult that they can reference without assistance. These lists are effective tools for reducing dependency and promoting accountability.
Create a Schedule: Encouraging them to follow a cleaning schedule ensures that tasks are completed regularly and helps develop a consistent routine. For example, assigning certain chores to specific days can reduce procrastination and help them stay organized.
#2: Planning, Scheduling, and Routines
Planning and time management are essential life skills that contribute to independence. Establishing these habits early on helps set a strong foundation for the future.
Start Using a Planner: Encourage your young adult to use a physical or digital planner to track appointments, events, and daily tasks. The goal is to reduce reliance on you for managing their time and schedules.
Plan Free Time: If your young adult is accustomed to having their free time structured by you, it’s important to teach them how to plan it independently. Learning to balance leisure and responsibilities can foster a healthy lifestyle.
Use Alarms for Events: Whether it’s waking up in the morning or arriving on time for an appointment, using alarms can help your young adult develop time-management skills. Start implementing this habit now to build their sense of responsibility.
Establish Morning and Evening Routines: Set clear morning and evening routines to help them prepare for each day. This can include wake-up times, bedtimes, and personal hygiene. Consistency with these routines will be key once they are living on their own.
#3: Safety
Ensuring young adults with autism and learning differences are prepared to handle safety is crucial for independent living. Focus on teaching basic home safety, understanding community resources, and learning simple maintenance tasks.
Basic Home Safety: Teach how to use a fire extinguisher, maintain smoke alarms, and safely operate appliances. Practice emergency protocols like fire evacuation and ensure they know when and how to lock doors and windows.
Community Resources: Help them create an emergency contact list with numbers for doctors, repair services, and emergency responders. Familiarize them with local resources, such as hospitals and police stations.
Basic Home Maintenance: Show them simple maintenance skills like unclogging a toilet, resetting circuit breakers, and using basic tools. This knowledge helps prevent small issues from becoming larger problems.
#4: Cooking
Being able to prepare meals is an essential part of living independently, and understanding kitchen safety is equally important.
Teach Kitchen Appliance Safety: Familiarize your young adult with the proper and safe use of appliances like stoves, ovens, and microwaves. This knowledge can help avoid dangerous situations while promoting confidence in the kitchen.
Teach Basic Cooking Skills: Focus on foundational skills such as boiling water, chopping ingredients, measuring, and following simple recipes. These basics will form the foundation of their ability to cook healthy and affordable meals.
Plan Weekly Menus and Grocery Trips: Developing a weekly meal plan and learning how to grocery shop efficiently helps young adults avoid unhealthy eating habits and manage their food budget.
Start with Simple Recipes: Choose 3 to 5 easy recipes that your young adult can practice repeatedly, building their confidence in the kitchen. Over time, they can expand their repertoire and experiment with more complex meals.
By focusing on these important independent living skills, neurodivergent young adults will establish a strong foundation for additional pursuits whether it be employment, college academics, or making friends. Parents can continue to let go of managing their young person's day-to-day needs.