When a child turns 18, they are considered an adult. This usually means they gain the right to make their own decisions about education, healthcare, and housing. As a parent, you may be worried that your young adult with a disability isn’t ready to make all those decisions on their own. There are different ways you can continue to support your child depending on what is best for their needs.

Informal support

Whether or not someone has a disability, they will have questions and need help as they become an adult. You can tell your young adult that they can always seek your advice before signing a contract or making a major decision.

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney form is a legal document that your young adult can sign giving you or another person the right to make decisions for them in certain areas. Power of Attorney forms can focus on education, finances, health, or other matters.

Supported decision-making

Supported decision-making is a newer option that allows people with disabilities to create a decision-making team of people they trust. The support team would help your young adult understand their options, make a decision, and share the decision with others. It has fewer long-term legal consequences than guardianship.

Guardianship

Guardianship is a legal process that declares an individual with a disability “incompetent” and assigns someone else (a guardian) to make decisions for them. Often this is the parent. If your young adult is under guardianship, they no longer have the rights that other adults have. Because guardianship can be hard to reverse, it is important to understand the impact of this choice.

Young people with disabilities often continue to learn and develop after they turn 18. As a parent, you will want to consider what option provides the support they need while helping them continue to gain lifelong skills.