# Transition to Adulthood & Employment — Planning for Adulthood

- Bridget Murphy is a mother to a 32yo son with Down Syndrome. She shared her experience and wisdom about the transition to adulthood. — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

- At 21yo IDEA services end. Parents typically start planning for adulthood in April of their child's senior year of high school. **We need to start planning now.** — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

- **Step 1: Develop a "Vision Statement"** — goals for your child's adult life: — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*
    - Have meaningful employment that adds value to society
    - Live away from home
    - Have a social life

- **Step 2: Develop a "Mission Statement"** — plan to achieve the vision. List requirements for each vision statement. — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*
    - Example: In order to live away from home our child needs to: Communicate, read, tell time, dress himself, dishes, laundry, housekeeping, transportation.
    - Bridget advocates total openness with the community about your child's disability — it helps the school and community approach your child from understanding, not apprehension. — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

- **Birthday party strategy:** Offer to attend birthday parties with your child. Bring the best gift so the classmate wants to invite him back. — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

- **Discipline:** Ensure consequences logically follow from the misbehavior. Example: potty training accident → child cleans it up hand-over-hand. — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

- Don't neglect your typically developing children — apparent favoritism can foster resentment. — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

**Finding Employment:**

- There is a middle ground between full employment and a day program — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

- Let interests guide the decision — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

- **"Own the risk"** during the transition — educate the employer, give them strategies, give them an out. "If it doesn't go well after 2 weeks we can part ways, no questions." — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

- When you own the risk it gives them freedom to learn what you already know: your child will be a HUGE value! — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

**Resources:**

- [Lakemary Center](https://lakemary.org/) — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

- [Bridget Murphy Potty Training Method](https://ndss.org/resources/toilet-training-children-with-down-syndrome) — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

- [Lee Ann Britain Center](https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-shawnee-mission/britain-development) — *[Bridget Murphy, May 2024](/sessions/20240519_Bridget_Murphy_Adulthood/notes.md)*

**Timelines and Action Steps (from Sarah Otto):** — *[Sarah Otto, Mar 2026](/sessions/20260315_Sarah_Otto_Case_Management/notes.md)*

- **Before age 8:** Contact your CDDO to apply for the waiting list

- **Ages 10-15:** Begin transition planning; financial planning (ABLE Account, Special Needs Trust)

- **Ages 15-18:** Vocational Rehabilitation Pre-ETS; consider Supported Decision Making, POA, or Guardianship; post-secondary education options; obtain state ID

- **Ages 18-19:** Apply for SSI/SSDI; apply for [Medicaid/KanCare](https://www.kancare.ks.gov/apply-now); inquire about adult services; transition medical providers to adult providers

- Waiting until age 18 or graduation often creates significant stress and missed opportunities — *[Sarah Otto, Mar 2026](/sessions/20260315_Sarah_Otto_Case_Management/notes.md)*

**Getting Organized:** — *[Sarah Otto, Mar 2026](/sessions/20260315_Sarah_Otto_Case_Management/notes.md)*

- Keep binders or digital records of diagnoses, evaluations, and all paperwork

- Separate school records from adult-services records

- Track communications and deadlines carefully across CDDO, KanCare/Medicaid, Social Security, Vocational Rehabilitation, Transportation, and Medical Diagnostics

- The system moves slowly and requires consistent follow-up — plan early for major transitions

- Ask other parents further down the road to share resources and feedback on providers — peer experience is invaluable

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