Helping Your Autistic Teenager Be Independent

A big part of parenting is helping your child learn the skills they need to be independent adults. As the parent or carer of an autistic teenager, there are lots of ways you can help them make a successful transition into adulthood.

Every autistic child is different, with their own strengths and challenges. What one teenager needs might not be relevant for another. Others will need to learn at a slower pace, or require a different level of support from you. Some children will need additional support throughout their lives, but can still learn how to be independent in lots of ways.

To help them learn new skills:

• • Break the task down into very small steps. For example, learning to wash clothes could start with sorting washing into dark and light colours.

• • Teach each step individually until they can confidently do it on their own.

• • Use visual checklists to help them see how each step fits into a longer process.

• • Use specific praise to tell them what they are doing well, rather than just saying “Well done” or “Good job”.

Ideas for helping your autistic teenager be independent

The following areas are useful skills for your child to learn to help them be more independent as adults. Every child is different, so you can pick and choose the ones that you feel are most important and appropriate for your child to master.

Build on their strengths and interests wherever possible to help motivate them. Make it a gradual process. While it’s great to push them out of their comfort zone from time to time, you don’t want to frighten your child or make them reluctant to do something in the future. Make sure your child is ready for a new task and try starting at home, which is a familiar setting, so they feel more comfortable.