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Encouraging Independence

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[MUSIC PLAYING] I'm having to train myself as a dad to step back and to let him fall, let him skin his knee at soccer, to let him not necessarily have that friend to sit next to in Cub Scouts at camp fire, but for him to find his way. And what I've found more often than not is if I will give him the time-- and sometimes it's an uncomfortable amount of time-- but if I'll give it to him, he'll find what to do with it. And he succeeds on his own. Or if he fails, then that's a lesson, too. So I'm having to learn to step back to give him that time to figure it out. And I think that that's part of how he's going to find his way. It's certainly proven true in the past and I hope it continues.

This video features parents Ellen and Steve Kester as they share personal stories and practical strategies for fostering independence in their son with autism, offering relatable insights and encouragement for other families navigating similar challenges, while also supporting educators and professionals in understanding the importance of autonomy during the transition to adulthood.