Independence training for children and young people with learning disability

Why is it important?

Independence training leads to children with more self-reliance and higher self esteem

independence training - preparation of the evening meal
The Independence Training worker helps one of the young people to prepare his evening meal.

independence training - feeding sheep

The young people help to look after animals such as sheep, goats and rabbits. Marisol brings maize straw to feed the sheep

independence training - hanging out the washing

The young people learn to take responsibility for themselves by learning to do their own laundry and other chores.

Israel sweeping

Israel demonstrating that independence training starts early

Several of the young people are now in employment through the CINIA organization in Puebla. Esteban works on a local dairy farm, Argelio is also working on the project site where he helps with the sheep and other general farm tasks. Josefa returned to her home village of Coyay in 2004

Independence training - why is it central to our approach?

Preparation for the independence of the children and young people is a guiding principle of the residential project. Children are prepared for independence in all aspects of daily life.
Programmes which respond to individual needs are designed using the Planning for Life system which Mexico Child Link translated, adapted and evaluates. Much of this work focuses on the acquisition of skills which promote independence. The children actively participate in the process of assessment and also choose a specific skill which they want to learn. This is often a "fun" skill but it has been encouraging to note that some of the adolescents have asked to learn specific practical skills, e.g. to use the sewing machine and to use public transport.

We also use a child centered programme called "Listen to me" in order to focus on the things which make a significant difference to the quality of life of the young people who live in the project.

The transition to adulthood

The project opened in 1995 and the first group of children have now become young adults. As such, their needs have changed and the project has attempted to respond to this. A clear distinction is made between the younger children, and the adolescents & young people. When they reach the age of 15, a social rite of passage in Mexico, they are given distinct rights and privileges. This has facilitated the process of growing up, which is especially important for young people with learning disability. Many people treat adults with learning disability as if they were children, and it is an important goal of the project to help the children grow into well adjusted adults.

The young adults have considerable anxiety about leaving the project. This is understandable, as they have had many years of stability in a secure and caring environment. The transition towards independence will be gradual. The living arrangements have recently been adapted. Six young people with learning disability share one of the houses and the remaining younger children live in the other. The young people need less direct support, and have been given more responsibility for looking after themselves and keeping their house in order. This has allowed the project to reduce staffing levels during the day although it is still necessary to have a houseparent in the house at night. The young people are very pleased with this new arrangement. Although they are anxious about having to leave the project at some point in the future, they do not want to be treated as children with more supervision that they feel is necessary.

Young people who are in employment travel to the town of Atlixco to do their personal shopping. A number of young people can now use the local public transport unaccompanied and those who nead more assistance travel with the independence training worker. The project has a good relationship with the bus and combi drivers and this has greatly facilitated the independent use of public transport. The children and young people have a clear understanding of the importance of learning to do things for themselves, and they have increased in confidence as they have acquired skills and have been given more responsibility. Weekly meetings in each house give the children and young people a structured opportunity to express their opinions.
The Independence Training Worker works closely with the young people in the areas of employment skills, use of money and public transport, budgeting, shopping and preparation of meals. She visits their places of employment on a regular basis to liaise with employers and help to resolve any difficulties. The project has tried to extend the skills base of the young people so that they can seek employment in areas other than agriculture.

A recent positive development has been the training and employment opportunities provided by an organization called CINIA which has been established in Puebla. CINIA works exclusively with young people who have a learning disability and provides them with an initial four months of paid training. The aim is to sign contracts with local employers and find permanent jobs for the young people.

Help us to maintain the independence training programs for children and young people with learning disability