For parents caring for children with Down syndrome or any other disabilities, helping them become independent as they grow into adulthood is a major challenge.
Disability advocates say parents of children with Down syndrome or other disabilities often shield them more than they would able-bodied children, especially as they grow older.
To help parents in Tobago, the Down Syndrome Family Network hosted a “Steps to Independence” workshop at the Scarborough Library to equip parents with tools to guide their children into adulthood.
Children’s rights advocate Dr Lenisa Joseph, who works with children with special needs, encouraged parents to allow their children to learn to be independent.
“We want them to be as independent as possible. Should we not be around, they will be able to do for themselves.”
Dr Joseph believes that children with special needs have every right to contribute to society and become fully functioning adults. For this to occur, she encouraged parents, caregivers and teachers to first believe in that possibility themselves.
“Caregivers and teachers, we also want to help them think about, because sometimes they’re not even thinking of the possibilities for themselves. And we need to awaken that desire. So we want to believe in the possibility and we want to have high expectations.”
Dr Joseph said that through exposure, children with special needs will be able to discover what they are good at. She believes that it also helps them learn how to integrate into society.
“If we don’t give them opportunities to be around others, to be around other typically developing adults, young adults, young children, they are not going to have that feeling that they can.”
This, in turn, allows the public to be more accepting of people with special needs. From there, the task then becomes finding career opportunities.
“We want to ensure that we not only consider ensuring that we not only believe and provide the opportunity and build, but we also want to give them opportunities to use those skills in places where they belong.”
In other words, having Down syndrome or any other disability should not mean children are condemned to a life of isolation and constant dependency.
With the right guidance, Dr Joseph is confident that they too can enjoy a full life.
The workshop also provided parents and carers with information about guiding young adults as they go through puberty, along with tips for building financial stability.