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http://www.girlshealth.gov/
Parents & Caregivers
Promoting independence
Over time, the girl in your life should try to take as much responsibility for herself as possible. Work together to build the skills and the confidence she’ll need.
You can help a teen become more independent by:
- Encouraging her to take appropriate steps. Maybe she can take the bus on her own or manage her own bank account, for example. Help her learn about health self-care. Applaud any successes and work to help deal with any setbacks.
- Teaching her home skills. She can take an online quiz to see how much she knows about chores like laundry, cooking, and more.
- Working with the Social Security Administration. Help her find out whether she will continue receiving Supplemental Security Income, if she has been receiving it before age 18. Learn what benefits she can qualify for on her own.
- Encouraging her to learn about self-advocacy. Self-advocacy includes speaking up for her rights, asking for help when she needs it, and working toward her goals.
- Making sure she knows how to stay safe. People with disabilities are more likely to be victims of crime. Tell her to stay alert when she goes out and to lock all doors at home. Check out safety tips together.
- Asking her what she hopes to do after high school. She can check out lots of resources on girlshealth.gov in Planning for the future. And remember that if she has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), her team is supposed to create a transition plan that is right for her.
- Looking for programs and services for young adults. She may be able to get help with work, housing, and transportation. A social worker or a school counselor can suggest resources. Centers for Independent Living offer lots of information for people with disabilities, too.
- Finding out about supports for living independently. Supports include assistive technology, which are tools like “talking” clocks or motorized scooters. You also might look into getting a personal assistant, which is someone who helps people with a health condition do daily tasks. You can learn more through your state or county department of disabilities, department of human services, department of rehabilitation, or Center for Independent Living.
Helping a girl gain independence is a gradual process. Point out that it took you plenty of hard work to figure out and fulfill your goals. And remind her to congratulate herself for all she has achieved!
Content last updated January 7, 2011
