Independence skills

Strengthening your Independence Skills 

It can be daunting to think about growing up, leaving school, and entering the ‘adult world’. New experiences like looking for a job, taking on more responsibility and transitioning from child to adult healthcare can seem daunting and like a lot of hard work! As each of us grows up, we may experience increased expectations from those around us, such as the need to do more things on our own and find opportunities to participate in social activities. While turning 18 legally defines you as an adult, it doesn’t mean you will automatically know the answer to questions about how to be an adult – the process of learning doesn’t happen overnight and it’s always OK to ask questions!

One way to help prepare for adult life is to start developing your independence skills. Independence doesn’t mean someone is totally alone, it can mean doing things for yourself or knowing how to make the most of help when you need it. Being independent is an important skill to have in order to live life as part of a community with the confidence to make your own decisions and access society in the way that you want to.

Independence doesn’t mean someone is totally alone, it can mean doing things for yourself or knowing how to make the most of help when you need it.

Every adult has had to navigate through this transition period to adult life, but for those with cerebral palsy, the process can be more complex. You may have difficulty completing some tasks or have a very busy schedule with appointments to manage. It may take longer for you to work towards independence but it’s important to remember that with the right support, progress will be made. It can be hard to tell others what you need, but it does make a big difference. “If you can learn how to let others know how they can be helpful, this will go a long way in helping you toward independence”.

While living independently can mean having your own house or accommodation, it doesn’t have to mean living alone. It is possible to build independence while still living at home by taking control of your finances, completing everyday tasks like dressing and washing, cooking your own meals or even learning to drive.

What can you do to develop your independence skills?

1. Start to take more control in your medical appointments – you may have been used to a parent or carer doing all the talking when you visit a doctor, but now it’s time to take the lead. You could practice using the 3-Sentence Summary as an easy way to talk about your needs at appointments:

1. Sentence 1: My age, diagnosis and brief medical history
2. Sentence 2: My treatment plan
3. My question/concern to talk about during this visit
4. Check out 3 Sentence Health Summary (cheo.on.ca)

2. Think about your goals in life and about what you would like to achieve – this could be taking up a new hobby, learning how to plan and shop for your groceries or moving out of the family home and into your own place.

3. Get advice on what technology is available that could increase your independence – aside from mobility aids (walkers and wheelchairs) and housing adaptations (ramps and accessible bathrooms), many other products are available that could aid your independence. Adaptive eating utensils or non-slip plates may improve independence in cooking or eating, while touch screen computers or tablets may give you the opportunity to shop online, book transport or even just contact your friends and family.

Here is a short video with some advice on becoming more independent:

References

1. cerebralpalsy.org
2. CP Resource