Fundamentals for Achieving Success

Helping Your Child Build Skills and Independence

Start early to support your child’s growth. These steps help build skills for independence, confidence, and the future.

Skills and Responsibilities at Home and in the Community

Keep high expectations for your child, no matter their age. This helps them build skills for life. Give your child chores and responsibilities at home and in the community. This helps them learn that work is part of life. It also teaches them to help others and give back.

Birth -Age 3

• Connect with Early Intervention to support your child’s growth. Keep high expectations for success and encourage skills like listening, speaking, reading, and writing every day.

• Help your child reach important milestones and give them simple chores to build responsibility. Learn and grow as a family by building skills together.

• Get your child involved in the community and take part in community groups when possible. Focus on teaching skills that help your child become more independent.

Ages 3-6

• Help your child build on the skills they already have.

• Stay connected with your neighborhood school and take part in school activities. Give your child simple chores and help them learn new skills.

• Help your child build relationships with family, friends, and others who support them. Introduce different jobs and careers in simple ways, even starting in kindergarten.

• Stay involved as a parent and help your child take part in meetings about their supports and goals. Include your child in community activities. Help them spend time with peers their own age to build social skills.

When in School

Make sure your child takes part in their IEP meetings as much as possible. Students should help with their own learning plans and set their own goals. This helps them stay motivated. School support should keep learning challenging.

Ask your child what they want to be when they grow up.

It is okay if their goal changes over time. Having a goal helps them think about the future and do well in school.

Early Planning and Career Exploration

Start planning early for life after high school. Starting early can lead to better job outcomes.

Help your child explore different careers. They can try job shadowing, tours, volunteering, or vocational camps to learn what they like.

Ages 14 - Graduation

• Help your child build on the skills they already have.

• Give your child real work experiences in the community to help them learn job skills. Help them take part in school to work programs and internships to build experience and confidence.

• Teach your child how to act at work and in the community. Talk often with your child about growing up, including their goals, plans, and future.

Encourage your child to explore different careers.

They can try job shadowing, tours, or volunteering. These experiences help them learn what they like. You can also look into vocational camps.

Promote paid work opportunities.

A summer or part-time job helps build skills and confidence. Ask your school about internships or work programs.

Junior/Senior Year

Visit colleges or vocational schools. This helps students plan life after high school. More training can lead to better job options.

Senior Year

Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This form can help pay for college or job training.

Preparing for Independence at 18

Apply for a driver’s license or State ID.

Having identification is an important part of adult life. People need an ID to vote, apply for jobs, open accounts, and more at www.sdmno.org.

Explore options and alternatives to guardianship.

At age 18, young adults can make their own decisions unless a court says otherwise. Guardianship can limit a person’s rights and should only be considered after looking at other options. Learn more at the website https://youth-voice.org.