Decision-making is an important skill to have. We usually make decisions based on our judgment and experience. Sometimes, we make decisions and we hope those decisions are accurate or are beneficial. However, that is not always the case. We all make mistakes and that’s OK. That is part of learning and growing.
My husband and I are aware that Alex will need to learn how to make his own decisions. How can we as parents help him develop skills so he can harness his intelligence and skills to make the right decisions. Often I wonder what are things he needs to learn so he can live independently. I know this may sound morbid, but I know I am not always going to be there to help him.
So, we are starting small. Everyday, we offer Alex various opportunities to practice decision making. One example is during his playtime. In this picture, you will see a choice board. In this choice board, Alex has different choices of activities that he can do. We allow him to decide how he wants to spend his playtime meaningfully.
It may look so simple but it targets different skills such as the oral language, thinking skills (critical thinking), and vocabulary. Alex just started combining two-word sentences to communicate to us. He still uses sign language but we’ve seen him use words to express his thoughts and ideas. This choice board allows him to use his words while providing him a visual support. It also gives him an opportunity to think about what would keep himself engaged with the activity while at the same time enjoying it. Next, he is learning more words not only the name of the activities but also reading the words in printed form. This exposure to language both in printed and spoken language are critical for the development of his language skills.
Like Alex, people with disabilities have so many hills to climb and obstacles to overcome. I’ve seen Alex work hard even when he is struggling. In spite of his disability, he does not quit. My job is to ensure I don’t become an obstacle for him. Hampering his growth and development would be my greatest failure parenting. I know it is easy to fall in that category. So, I am making a commitment that I will trust my son Alex that he will make good decisions. I will allow him to make mistakes and learn from them. I will provide support and guidance to his journey. I will give him the power of decision making.