---
date: "2024-05-19"
speaker: "Bridget Murphy"
organization: "Parent of 32yo son with Down Syndrome"
topic: "Planning for Adulthood"
blurb: "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 - Planning for Adulthood

**Date:** 2024-05-19  
**Organization:** Parent of 32yo son with Down Syndrome

> Bridget Murphy is a mother to a 32yo son with Down Syndrome. She shared her experience and wisdom about the transition to adulthood.

## Notes from May 19th - Bridget Murphy - Planning for Adulthood

- 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.**
- **Step 1: Develop a "Vision Statement"** — goals for your child's adult life:
  - 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.
  - 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.
- **Birthday party strategy:** Offer to attend birthday parties with your child. Bring the best gift so the classmate wants to invite him back.
- **Discipline:** Ensure consequences logically follow from the misbehavior. Example: potty training accident → child cleans it up hand-over-hand.
- Don't neglect your typically developing children — apparent favoritism can foster resentment.

### Finding Employment:
- There is a middle ground between full employment and a day program
- Let interests guide the decision
- **"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."
- When you own the risk it gives them freedom to learn what you already know: your child will be a HUGE value!

### Resources:
- [Lakemary Center](https://lakemary.org/)
- [Bridget Murphy Potty Training Method](https://ndss.org/resources/toilet-training-children-with-down-syndrome)
- [Lee Ann Britain Center](https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-shawnee-mission/britain-development)


## Attachments

- `Totus Tuus Flyer 2024 (8.5 x 11).pdf` *(download from original Gmail email)*