Knowing how to cook their own meals is one of the signs that your teen is emerging into adulthood. Same goes with doing their own laundry, and shopping for their own groceries. Getting around the city solo is a big one too. For young adults with neurodivergence, these are big steps forward. At Monarch House, we can work with your child to instill these skills (and more). Preparing teens with autism Burllington for independence is a key step toward helping them lead more fulfilled and self-sufficient lives. 

Here are ten helpful strategies we keep in mind to ease them into this transition.

• Teaching Time Management

Knowing how to build your own schedule and then successfully navigate a list of To Dos is a skill in itself. For independence, time management is critical. We can help your teen with autism learn how to use day planners, visual schedules, and digital apps to help them set goals, reach them, organize their tasks, and manage their time effectively. From here it’s incremental gains as we gradually increase their responsibility for managing their own schedules (and they get to enjoy the freedom they’ve earned).

• Fostering Financial Literacy

Being responsible with your own (and other people’s) money is an undeniable sign of maturity. At Monarch House, we can help to introduce basic financial concepts such as saving, budgeting, and responsible spending. We role-play real-life scenarios to teach money management skills. To further help your teen with money skills,  consider opening a bank account in their name. This will give them hands-on experience when it comes to managing their finances.

• Promoting Self-Advocacy

In today’s world, you need to know how to stand up for yourself. Empower teens with autism to advocate for themselves by understanding their strengths, needs, and rights. We can help to teach them how to communicate their preferences and needs effectively, whether in the workplace, an educational setting, or a social situation.

• Supporting Educational and Vocational Training

A young adult that is excited and engaged in their education has a bright future ahead of them. At Monarch House, we can help you with access to appropriate educational and vocational training programs. Together, we can collaborate with schools and vocational centres to develop personalized learning plans that align with your teen’s interests and abilities. We’ll help you make sure they are on the right track to gain relevant skills for future employment.

• Encouraging Problem-Solving Skills

Teach your child that it’s okay to make mistakes. Trial-and-error is a surefire path to learning. We can help your teen develop problem-solving skills by encouraging them to tackle challenges independently. We can work with parents and caregivers to create opportunities for them to make decisions, face consequences, and learn from their experiences in a supportive environment.

• Developing Daily Living Skills

We can work with you to teach essential daily living skills such as cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, and managing finances. These skills are foundational for independent living and should be practiced regularly in a structured and supportive environment.

• Encouraging Social Skills

Knowing how to work with (and around) other people is a big part of being a grown-up. Social skills are vital for building relationships and navigating community interactions. Encourage teens to participate in social groups, practice communication skills, and engage in role-playing scenarios to enhance their social competence.

•  Exploring Transportation Options

Knowing how to get around Burlington on one’s own is a sure sign of maturity, and it will save mom and dad a lot of time (and gas). We can help you teach your teen with autism how to navigate transportation options, including public transit, rideshare services, and independent driving if appropriate. They can build confidence in traveling independently by practicing routes, understanding schedules, and using transportation apps.

• Creating a Support Network

It’s going to take a village to get these kids raised up right and on their own two feet. Establish a strong support network that includes family, friends, mentors, and professionals. Encourage teens to build relationships with trusted individuals who can offer guidance, support, and assistance when needed.

•  Planning for the Future

We can help you work with your teen with autism to build a long-term plan for their future. Together, we can have a conversation about their aspirations, help them set achievable goals, and work on outlining the steps needed to reach those goals. Parents and caregivers can do ongoing reviews and adjustments to the plan as needed. The goal is to keep it relevant and attainable.

It’s heartwarming (and maybe a little bittersweet) when a teen starts to show the signs of maturing into a self-sufficient adult. This doesn’t happen overnight though. It requires a comprehensive and individualized approach to prepare teens with autism for independence. At Monarch House we work with parents and caregivers to help teens build the confidence and competence they need to thrive independently. Autism services Burlington does this by focusing on time management, money handling skills, fostering social connections, developing practical skills, and encouraging self-advocacy. With some time, practice, and patience, autism therapy Burlington can help your teen work towards a self-sufficient and independent life.