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Plan for independence

As your child grows, building confidence in themselves and their skills while still living at home or with other supports is an important step toward adult life. Understanding their strengths and limits - and planning for the support they'll need - helps them make decisions about where they want to live, who they want to live with, and how they want to live their life.

Life skills include what's learned in school, but also everyday skills like taking care of home, 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.

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Health care

At age 18 your youth will begin to manage their own health care and make medical decisions on their own.

Assistive technology

Consider what types of assistive technology (AT) might be helpful in supporting independence for your youth at home and in the community. Assistive technology devices range from simple to complex and can help a person speak, walk, talk, remember, see, hear, learn and more. If your child has an IEP, exploring AT for use in adulthood should be part of their planning in the year before leaving high school.

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.

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Health care

Help your youth learn to manage appointments, medications and insurance.

Encourage them to talk directly with doctors.

Assistive technology

Explore tools that support independence at home, school and work.

Try devices through the Minnesota STAR Program.

Learn about AT supports from Technology for HOME and your local Center for Independent Living.

Housing

Talk about where your youth wants to live after high school.

Practice independent living skills - cooking, cleaning, budgeting and safety.

Explore resources from PACER and Housing Benefits 101.

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Chat, call or email the Hub.

At the Hub, there’s no such thing as a wrong question. We're here to help. Contact us Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.