Leaving home

During adolescence and early adulthood, some young people with development disability move out of their parents’ home. Some are able to live independently, while others may be relinquished into state or NDIS care. Residential care for young people with significant intellectual and physical disabilities is managed by the NDIS.

Many adolescents need assistance with living independently. The general practitioner can assist with NDIS access; see also Supports funded by the NDIS. Adolescents may benefit from functional reassessment to identify changes in their needs and enable adjustments to their support plan. The adolescent’s capacity for decision making is a consideration; see also Consent, capacity and decision making in people with developmental disability. Disability support organisations may also be a resource for adolescents with developmental disability.