While there are many things that parents need to do when it comes to raising children, they are all working towards the same common goal. That is to raise well-rounded individuals who can go off in the world one day and make it one their own. Who can continue their education, find a great job, find love, and achieve any dream they aspire to in their life. Realizing this can be overwhelming for a parent, and it can feel like a big responsibility, but it can be much more than that for some parents.

Parents who are raising children who have been diagnosed with autism, regardless of where they are on the spectrum, worry about their child out there in the real world. They wonder how their child will be able to be independent and take care of the responsibilities they need to. This is especially true when mom or dad won’t be there to help.

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While teaching independence may be a bit more difficult, it is not impossible and there are resources out there to help parents and their children. According to Autism Speaks, one of the biggest factors in teaching children independence is to start early, by trying to instill lessons at home, in school and in the community. One of the challenges when it comes to teaching independence to teenagers with autism is that development and abilities can vary between individuals, so there is never going to be one set rule.

Work on Communication

If language is an area where your teen struggles, Autism Speaks suggests trying other forms of communication. Sign language is becoming incredibly popular, and it could be a good tool when it comes to teaching your child to communicate, but they struggle with the spoken word. Another thing you want to start early when it comes to independence is hygiene. Basic hygiene skills, like brushing teeth and hair are often things that mom will just automatically do for her child because it is easier. Encourage them to do these things for themselves, while you are close, so they feel safe.

Teach Basic Household Chores

It is also a good idea to teach them about household chores. These concepts may not come automatically, so it is a good idea to get them started young. Make sure that you are involving your teen in household chores while you do them. Having them “shadow” you while you complete them and helping when they can, will help make sure these are just normal, automatic routines that need to be accomplished.

Identify Strengths

Part of being a self-sufficient adult is finding employment, which may be challenging for those on the spectrum. Sometimes, the simplest way to combat this is knowing what your teen’s strength is. According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, identifying your teen’s strengths is the first step when it comes to gaining employment. The problem with this skill is that it can take longer for youth with autism to obtain this process of self-awareness than it does for neuro-typical teenagers of the same age. Parents can help them gain this by paying attention to their interests, and areas where they have a longer attention span. Narrowing this down may be the first step in finding a career path that is best suited for them.

Expose Autistic Teens to New Environments

Another big difference between youth with autism and their peers is their ability to adapt to new situations and environments. They have a harder time with change and living an independent, adult life can be all about change and adapting to new environments. Parents can help them when it comes to this by putting them in new situations. As they go through high school, look into community classes they can take on the side. Have them try an instrument. By introducing them to new activities slowly and making sure that they are activities that they have expressed interest in can help them learn to adjust to a new situation.

The bottom line is that children and youth with autism are capable of living an independent life, they just need a few extra steps to get there. Using visual cues can be an important tool when helping those with autism, according to Autism Awareness Center. Mom can use cue cards to explain the steps needed to complete a task, or just to list out what needs to be done throughout the day. Breaking down a day into smaller sections can help a teen with autism navigate their day, and the steps can increase in difficulty as they age into adulthood.

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Sources: Autism Speaks, Seattle Children's Hospital, Autism Awareness Center