Plan for independence

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Life skills include everyday skills like managing money, building healthy relationships, and knowing how to get help when needed. These skills work together to help your child become as independent as they want to be.

Key areas to consider include:

• Assistive technology (AT): tools that support communication, mobility, organizations or daily tasks

• Housing: options range from living at home to renting, owning or living with roommates

• Money management: budgeting, banking, paying bills and understanding credit

• Transportation: driving, public transit, ride-share apps or support from family and friends

Assistive technology

Think about the types of assistive technology (AT) that could help your young adult live more independently at home and in the community. AT can be simple, like a talking alarm clock, visual schedules or magnifiers, or more complex, such as speech-generating devices, mobility aids, hearing aids, or apps that support organization and memory.

Housing

Where will your child live after high school? Living independently can take place in a variety of settings, whether a person owns or rents their own house or apartment, lives with others (with or without supports), or remains in the family home.

Money management

Helping your young adult manage money is an important step toward independence. This can include teaching budgeting, using a bank account or debit card, setting up automatic bill payments, or using apps to track spending. Practicing these skills with your child now can build confidence for managing finances after high school.

Transportation

For many people with disabilities, finding transportation options can be hard. Limited options can impact their ability to explore the community, interact with friends and family, and engage in hobbies. Supporting your young adult in finding transportation is about understanding the available options - such as getting a driver's license, practicing public transportation, using community resources, reaching out to friends or family for help, or exploring app-based options such as Lyft or Uber - and encouraging the use of these options as independently as possible.

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Assistive technology

Connect with your child's support team. If your child has an IEP, discussing and exploring AT for adulthood is an important part of their planning during the year before they graduate from high school.

Try assistive technology devices. Trying something out before buying it is a great way to see what's available to meet your child's needs.

• Visit the Minnesota STAR Program's online AT lending library to borrow a device for your youth so they can try it before you buy it. STAR can also provide device demonstrations and trainings.

• Minnesota Assistive Technology for All also allows you to try assistive technology before you buy it.

• Visit the Simon Technology Center at PACER Center to try different devices.

Explore how assistive technology can help at school and work. Minnesota's Guide to Assistive Technology can help with next steps to finding the right AT for your family.

Housing

Help your child learn how to care for a home.

• Teaching basic home-care tasks, such as taking out the trash, changing a lightbulb or doing the dishes

• Practicing safety routines, like what to do in an emergency

• Introducing budgeting for rent and utlities

Start conversations with your youth about where they want to live after school. Use the Housing Guide for Young People from HB101 to get started.

Build a plan for housing. My Vault housing paths help youth set a housing budget and build a housing plan. Assign the appropriate activity to help youth explore and set goals for their community life. After each activity, discuss how they can use the results to build a plan and reach their goals and advocate for what they want.

Money management

Start money conversations now. Earning money and learning how to manage it are important parts of being independent.

• Open a bank account. Help your child get a checking or savings account and learn how to use it.

• Practice budgeting. Review income, expenses, and create a savings goal together.

• Teach bill payment. Show how to pay bills online, by app or by mail.

• Introduce credit basics. Discuss responsible use of credit cards and loans, and the importance of managing or avoiding debt.

Transportation

Complete a driving assessment. If driving is a goal, a driving assessment and training may help your child stay independent on the road. Allina Health offers a two-part comprehensive driving assessment.

Review driver's license requirements. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety offers instructions for getting a driver's permit and license.

Explore local transportation options. Use Minnesota transit links from the American Public Transportation Association to help youth identify public transportation options available in their community.

Look into specialized transportation services. Options include Transit Link, Metro Mobility and Nonemergency Medical Transportation (NEMT).