🧭 Supporting Your Child’s Independence – From Toddlers to Teens
Independent Futures Support
Helping your child do more for themselves is a long game – but every step counts.
Whether your child has an intellectual disability, developmental delay, autism, or other additional needs, building independence is one of the most empowering things you can do as a parent.
1. Start Small, Start Early
Even toddlers can build independence with simple choices:
- “Do you want the red shirt or the blue one?”
These tiny decisions grow confidence.
2. Use Tools That Support Independence
Visual schedules, routine charts, timers, and task breakdowns help kids learn what to do and when. Over time, they’ll need less help.
3. Expect Progress, Not Perfection
Independence isn’t about doing it alone – it’s about doing it with a bit less help than yesterday. Cheer on effort as much as results.
4. Build NDIS Goals Around Independence
Many families don’t realise the NDIS can fund supports for cooking, dressing, travel training, or using public transport – talk to your planner or coach.
5. Give Responsibilities with Dignity
Teens especially want to feel useful. Give age-appropriate tasks that matter:
- Feeding the dog
- Setting the table
- Checking the calendar
These life skills matter more than test scores.
Independence isn’t the destination – it’s the path. And every small step your child takes is worth celebrating.
