There was a certain level of expectation of you as a teenager and now you are an adult there is a higher level of expectation. You are expected to know right from wrong and act this way in the community. There are rules in the community that everyone needs to follow and you will be aware of these as you will have learnt them at school and from your family and friends.
As an adult you will want to be an active member of the community. Depending on the severity of your Intellectual Disability(ID) you will either be very independent or require the support of other adults while you are in the community. There are many reasons for going into the community and to explore your leisure choices is one of these. To do this there are things that you need to be ready to manage either by yourself, with your partner or friends, or with the other adults supporting you. Let’s have a look at some of these:
- Going to a party- do I know how to get there, can I have a conversation with someone
- Taking a friend to a restaurant- do I know how to make a reservation
- Go bike riding– am I confident to do this
- Use technology to improve my skills- what do I need to know
- Take my family to a park- how will I plan this to know it will be okay
You will have a list of more things that you would like to do and that is great. Many of our leisure activities we need to practice to do effectively. Ask your family and friends to help and think about the strategies you have used in the past that have been successful. Think about what you would like to be involved in, organise yourself and then most of all enjoy doing it.
