{"id":13551,"date":"2020-06-17T00:17:14","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T04:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nche.com\/?p=13551"},"modified":"2021-01-27T15:48:50","modified_gmt":"2021-01-27T20:48:50","slug":"whats-next-special-needs-graduating-independence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nche.com\/es\/whats-next-special-needs-graduating-independence\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00bfQue sigue? Cuando su hijo con necesidades especiales se grad\u00faa o avanza hacia una mayor independencia"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]Graduate 2020\/ Sandra Peoples<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

My sister, Syble, was born and diagnosed with Down syndrome in 1977. Just a few years later, my mom was thinking about what my sister would do as an adult. Our small town in Duncan, Oklahoma, didn\u2019t have a lot of resources at that time in the early eighties. But Mom had a vision for a work activity center for people with disabilities. She met with leaders in the community, family friends, and parents of adults with disabilities to see what they thought would be most helpful for their children.<\/p>\n

In September 1980, five adults met and started working at what they called The Power Shop. There were challenges, like finding work contracts with the businesses around Duncan, and getting transportation for the adults who would work off-site at those businesses. However, The Power Shop has continued to grow and thrive, now employing one hundred twenty-one people. My mom wanted Syble and her peers to feel safe, productive, and appreciated. It\u2019s amazing to me that the vision she had when chasing Syble and me around in 1980 (when we were both toddlers) would impact so many families and businesses in Duncan, Oklahoma, over the decades.<\/p>\n

For parents like me, a big topic of discussion (and sometimes worry and stress) centers around what our children with disabilities and special needs will do as adults. What will the future look like for my son, James, who has autism? Is further education possible? What jobs will he be able to have? And where will he live?<\/p>\n

I am thankful that we have generations of parents who have gone before us. Like my mom, these parents had dreams for their children and blazed a path for us to follow! We have options my mom never dreamed of! We can face the future with hope and optimism as we consider what comes next.<\/p>\n

Here’s a list of helpful resources as you plan for your child’s next stage. The list includes college options, work programs, and housing possibilities.<\/p>\n

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