As your child with a disability nears the age of 18, it’s time to start thinking about their transition into adulthood. While it can be an overwhelming time, Children’s Link is here to help support with this process!
Below are a few things that you and your family may wish to start thinking about in preparation for this transition.
1. Government of Alberta Financial and Support Programs
If eligible, your young adult may benefit from applying to receive supports such as AISH, PDD, and home care.
1. Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)— if your young adult has medical condition or disability affecting their daily life and limits their ability to work, AISH provides a monthly living allowance of up to $1,863 per month and health benefits. To apply for AISH, please click here for more information. Note that if your young adult does not qualify for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) funding, a Medical form B must be filled out by a doctor. AISH can be applied for when your young adult turns 17.5 years old.
2. Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)— to be eligible for PDD, your young adult must have been diagnosed with a developmental disability before turning 18 years old. To apply for PDD, a psychological assessment must be completed by a psychologist. The psychological assessment must be from within the last 5 years to use in the PDD application. PDD can be applied for at the age of 16 years old and PDD services begin at the age of 18. Click here for more information on applying for PDD.
3. Home care— contact your pediatric home care service provider for a referral to adult home care. If you do not have a home care service already in place, a self-referral form can be filled out if your young adult requires assistance in activities of daily living (eg. getting dressed, bathing, toileting, ambulating around the home, etc.) at age 17.5 years old. Upon application approval, a healthcare professional may visit regularly to assist your young adult to perform tasks.
2. Guardianship and Trusteeship
In Alberta, once an individual turns 18 years of age, they will automatically become their own guardian. If an adult is not capable of making decisions independently, a formal court order is needed in order for someone to be appointed as a formal Guardian and/or Trustee.
Guardianship is a legal process that allows appointed individual(s) to make non-financial decisions on behalf, or with, the young adult regarding personal matters. Similarly, trusteeship is a legal process, that allows appointed individual(s) to make decisions on behalf, or with the young adult regarding their financial affairs. Visit our Guardianship and Trusteeship page for more information on the process.
3. Healthcare
Depending on if the young adult has additional insurance outside of Alberta Health Care, that insurance plan may change once they turn 18 years old. Additional healthcare insurance can help pay for certain prescription drugs, certain services, and ambulance trips. If needed, support your young adult in organizing additional healthcare insurance.
Note: If your young adult is eligible for Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) funding, they will receive an AISH Benefits Card to show to healthcare providers. The AISH Benefits Card covers the costs associated with prescription drugs, dental, optical, and diabetic care, ambulance trips to hospital, and some Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) supplies.
4. Housing and Living Arrangements
There are many independent and supportive living options available in the community. Work with your young adult to discuss which living situation best supports their needs. Your family may want to consider the degree of assistance your young adult may need when performing activities of daily living and tasks that require preplanning—such as meal preparation, housekeeping, managing finances, grocery shopping, etc., when thinking about housing options. Secondary considerations might include proximity and access to public transport and public facilities (post-secondary institutions, libraries, parks, swimming pools, etc.) that would enable your young adult’s participation in the community.
Housing options and living arrangements you may wish to explore, might include:
o Independent living—suitable if your young adult is relatively independent; they can perform activities of daily living easily but may need some support from your family or their community when doing some tasks.
o Semi-independent living—suitable if your young adult wishes to have their own, private space and can perform the activities of daily living semi-independently but will meet in communal areas with other adults with disabilities for meals, socialization, and other activities.
o Supportive roommates—suitable if your young adult needs assistance in activities of daily living with the support of a supportive roommate. This type of living situation is helpful for young adults who are accustomed to their current living space and can be highly flexible depending on your young adult’s wishes and level of support.
o Home-sharing—your young adult becomes a part of another family unit. The family unit would support your young adult’s activities of daily living needs on a full-time basis.
o Group homes—suitable if your young adult requires support in activities of daily living on a regular basis and would benefit from having healthcare staff available. Group homes are typically shared living spaces with other adults with disabilities with similar needs.
5. Post-Secondary Education
In all post-secondary institutions, students can apply to a degree, certificate, or diploma streams of their choosing. Certain degrees have different admission requirements including, but not limited to a high school diploma, certain classes taken, mark achieved, English language proficiency, etc.
1. For students meeting degree admission requirements:
Depending on your young adult’s post-secondary admission status, they may be eligible for accommodations (ie. extra time during exams, permission to record lectures, etc). Contact the institution for specifics, as they usually have an Accessibility Office which can support with providing accommodations.
2. Alternative options for students who do not meet degree admission requirements:
a. Diverse qualifications
Certain universities offer admission to a select number of students who have undergone adversity and/or personal hardship. Promising an equitable and inclusive admission process, these post-secondary institutions recognize that diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences have contributed to different life opportunities. Your young adult will have to supplement their application with documents that speaks to their specific situation. To apply using this pathway, please visit their websites.
Examples of post secondary institutions within Canada which offer alternate qualifications processes:
- University of Calgary, in Calgary, Alberta - Equitable and Inclusive Admissions Process
- Royal Roads University, in Victoria, British Columbia - Flexible Admission
- Simon Fraser University, in Vancouver, British Columbia - Diverse Qualifications Admission
- University of Northern British Columbia, in Prince George, British Columbia
b. Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Program
An individual must have Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) funding to be eligible for this program. In partnership with Inclusion Alberta, this initiative provides opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to participate with their peers in post-secondary programs. Students take courses in a non-credit (audit) format—where the student is not expected to take any formal assessments (ie. exams, quizzes, presentations, etc.), but is present in during class allowing for contribution to discussions. Upon program completion, students receive a certificate of achievement alongside their peers during convocation ceremony.
Click here to explore post-secondary options and resources in your community. To find post-secondary scholarships available to students with disabilities, click here.
6. Employment and Vocational Training
There are many programs available in the community which help individuals with disabilities to gain meaningful employment. Many of these programs help individuals to gain interview skills, assist with resume development, and provide mentorship opportunities to aid in securing meaningful employment opportunities. There are many programs offered by organizations in the community for both individuals with and without Persons with Developmental Disabilities funding. There are also several transitional vocational programs offered by post-secondary institutions throughout Alberta. Click here to explore employment programs and programs which focus on vocational skill development.
7. Community Opportunities
If you are not aware of community programs available already, ask your young adult what programs they would be interested in. These may include volunteering at your local animal shelter, learning a new skill, or participating in their favourite sport.
For adults with PDD funding, there are a variety of day program and community access supports available.
There are also many organizations offering recreation activities for adults with disabilities, with and without PDD funding - click to explore sport/fitness opportunities; music, dance & art activities, or other recreational options near you.
