Parents can help to teach their children to be independent by asking them to do their own laundry, to clean up when they are done with meals by putting things in the dishwasher, and to know about recycling and putting out the garbage.
It’s also important to learn how to get plenty of food when you buy it from the store. Before I shop, my roommate and I need to have a meal plan. Then we can shop for all of the things that we will need, so that we can eat what’s on the meal plan. When I follow it well, I feel so good and very healthy.
Parents need to let their children go because when it comes to a certain time in life, young adults can learn from self-advocates like me. They can learn about Down syndrome and what I’ve done in my life and how it can benefit them. If they want to get a job or to live on their own, they can learn from me and others about how to have a full independent life.