Many young people seen by a children's disability network team (CDNT) move into adult disability services once they are age 18.
This change can feel challenging. It's normal for you and your young person to feel anxious.
Making a plan with your CDNT and involving your young person can help reduce anxiety. It can also help them learn to be more independent.
Start planning from age 12
Start planning for your child’s future when they are aged between 12 or 16. Around this age, they will naturally start to focus on learning how to be independent.
Think about:
- what skills they might need as they grow up
- what is important to them and their own goals
Skills development
Skills development is different for each young person. It can be as simple as choosing the right clothes for school, managing money, or spending time with friends they like.
Your child will set goals with their CDNT. They can use these goals to work on skills that are important to them.
Involve your young person
Talk to your child about what they want to do when they finish school. You will know best when and how to have these talks.
Don’t be afraid to let your child be independent. It looks different for every young person with complex needs.
It might take time to find out what works best for them. It also depends on the support your child can get as they become adults.
Things to talk about
Things that you could talk to your young person about include:
- what they want to do after school - go to college, day service, or work
- living and traveling independently
- what types of support they will they need
- what benefits and allowances are they entitled to
- making choices for themselves
- sexuality and relationships
Some of these discussions may take time. They often depend on what support will be available to your young person.
End of school options
You and your young person can speak to their school about options for when their school years finish. Your CDNT can also support you and your child.
Work with the school and CDNT to explore:
- further education or training
- pathways to employment
- community supports
- independent living options
- if a HSE‑funded adult disability day service is needed
Some of these discussions may take time. They often depend on what support will be available to your young person.
Making decisions
Once a young person is 16 years, they are assumed to be able to make their own decisions. The Assisted Decision-Making act can support them to make decisions with the level of help you choose.
Decision Support Service - decisionsupportservice.ie
Assisted Decision-Making Act - citizensinformation.ie
Talk to your CDNT
You and your young person should talk to your CDNT about:
- access to healthcare and disability supports
- access to education, training and employment
- community resources and supports
- housing long-term
HSE disability day service
If your young person wants to attend a disability day service funded by the HSE, a referral can be made to your local HSE Day Opportunities Service. This is usually done 18 months before your child leaves school.
Your young person must have a diagnosis of any of the following:
- intellectual disability
- physical disability
- autism
They must also need support from a disability service funded by the HSE.
Some other diagnoses may not meet the referral criteria.
Check with your school to see if they are making a referral for your child. If not, contact your local Day Opportunities Service office. You can find contact details for day services on the referral form
Referral form for disability day services
Meeting with Day Opportunities Service
An officer from the Day Opportunities Service will work with you and your young person during their final school year. They will do this if a day or rehabilitative training (RT) is right for your child.
They will help you find out what options there are for your young person, like day services, further education training, employment or community supports.