The importance of independence for an individual with Down syndrome is paramount.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that causes some level of intellectual disability, along with physical and behavioural characteristics. This can make it difficult for individuals with Down syndrome to live on their own. However, living in their own home has many benefits, including:
1) Independence
2) Increased social connection
3) Increased quality of life
Additionally, living in your own home means that you have access to the resources and support you need to live independently. This can help improve your quality of life while also giving you peace of mind as a parent or caregiver.
Benefits for the parent:
Living independently is a dream fulfilled for many parents and their children with Down syndrome. The benefits of living independently are obvious: parents get to enjoy their freedom and kids get to experience the joys of independent living. But there are other benefits, too!
If your child lives independently, they can help you out with chores around the house or even cook you dinner once in awhile. You can spend less time worrying about your child's safety when they're at home alone, but also feel more confident that they won't be left out of social activities because they need someone else to watch over them.
Your child will have an opportunity to explore their interests and passions in ways that might otherwise have been unavailable to them when they were still living at home. They might discover new talents or interests through their own exploration and experimentation. In addition, if your child has any special needs that require assistance from others (like physical therapy), being able to practice independence will help them become more comfortable with asking for help when needed instead of feeling like it's something done only when absolutely necessary for survival purposes (which can happen when living at home).
Making the decision as a parent, to let your child live independently...
Parenting a child with Down syndrome is hard. For parents, the choice to allow their child to live independently can be even harder.
Here are some strategies that can help you make that decision:
1. Talk to your child about the idea of living independently. Don't just assume they don't want to do it—you might be surprised!
2. Find out what your child's interests and skills are, and how they can make use of those in order to live independently.
3. Explore different options for housing, including independent living facilities and supervised apartments or houses in your community.
4. Consider what kinds of support services would be available if your child moved out on his own—could he still receive home health care? Would he need transportation? Would there be food delivered? Make sure there's a plan for all these things before you decide on a living situation for him!
If you are ready to take the next step to Independence for your loved one, AEHS has Housing options and services to ensure your loved one lives as Independent as possible and lives their best life. Contact Us Today to see how we can help you!