Dominant societal culture promotes transitioning to adulthood at 18, with full independence as a sign of success. This independence is often marked by leaving home for secondary education, getting a job, or joining the military. Individuals needing support are deemed a “failure to launch”, thus increasing stigma for themselves and their families. Many individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as FASD, frequently benefit from additional time and support in the transitioning years, yet may not qualify for formal programs. These young adults need a “safety net” to minimize challenges to adaptive, social-emotional, and occupational well-being. By considering the components of interdependent growth evident in common systems of scaffolding for adulthood, we can break down the myth of independence as a normative goal. Through a series of interactive experiences, participants will examine society’s built-in “safety net”, identify its components, and receive a tool to support those unable to access it.

Training Objectives:
1. Participants will analyze and identify the invisible safety net of interdependence and its components.

2. Participants will have a concrete tool to normalize interdependence and support the development of an individualized “safety net”