In a global culture that places great value on quick change, adult-centered care highlights something that has been forgotten: progress need not be swift to be relevant. Independence is not a competition; it is a journey built on patience, consistency, and respect for each person’s unique pace.
For adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), actual growth is nurtured not through timelines imposed by others, but within an environment where they are at the center of the stage of their own lives. This philosophy shifts the focus from simply reaching certain milestones to living a life of purpose and self-determination.
The Myth of Linear Success
Growth is viewed as a simple up and straightforward process that, in most cases, turns into a call for continuous and measurable progress. But the truth is that human development, in particular in the field of adult-centered care, is a complex picture.
Many have held to care-giving myths and realities that standstill is a failure and an invitation for regression. Stability is commonly seen as a part of the process, which is very much a given and in fact very important. This demonstrates strength, resilience, and sustainable quality of life that honors a high-quality of life.
Are you enjoying the content?
Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive high-interest and valuable topics for parents like you, who have a daughter in her young adulthood, directly in your inbox every month.
Redefining Support
In adult-centered care, a key element is to rethink what support is. Many fall into the habit of traditional models, which actually promote dependency by doing things for the individual. However, there’s another approach to this: empowerment starts with doing things with them.
This balanced approach has one goal in mind: offer support and freedom. Providing proper support is about being a partner to the person, giving them the resources, guidance, and time they need to do things on their own. That may include breaking down a recipe into each step, using visual aids for daily schedules, or going over a bus route many times. In short, it translates into a simple yet powerful message: “I believe in your ability to learn and direct your own life.”
The Power of Small Shifts
In most cases, true changes never start with just one single action; instead, it is the product of daily practices and micro-changes. In adult-centered care models, small shifts add up to great confidence over time.
Simple activities, such as putting on an outfit, doing laundry, or beginning a chat, are examples of things many do not see as achievements, but for women with IDD, celebrating such actions with them is a way to instill a growth mindset in caregiving, valuing any effort as progress.
This approach weaves in sustainable independent activites that are practical, doable, and chosen by the individual. The compound effect of each day’s success builds a strong sense of self-efficacy, which, in turn, forms a foundation that is not rushed nor forced.
The Four Pillars of Independence
A truly effective adult-centered care setting is built on four interrelated elements that make independence not only a goal, but a reality:
Routines
Predictability instills a sense of safety. Knowing what to expect during the day reduces anxiety and also frees cognitive and emotional energy for learning and engagement. A reliable structure is the base upon which choice is built.
Choice
Agency is a muscle that must be worked out. No matter how big or small the decision at hand is (from health-related choices to which movie to watch), each choice made strengthens autonomy and self-knowledge.
Consistency
Reliability of care providers develops trust in residents. Caregivers’ responses and consistent support can create a secure base for individuals, allowing them to motivate them and try new things.
Community
Most caregivers see independence as an opportunity to offer tools and support for residents to grow at their own pace. Sharing moments with the community, and engaging with the neighborhood and groups that support the resident’s interests is the base of a full and rich life.
Adult-Centered Care as a Base for Growth
Adult-centered care is a practice that must be put into action daily and is the opposite of a “fix it” mentality. The shift is from fixing to flourishing in care, from viewing a person as a problem to be solved to recognizing them as a whole adult to be supported.
By adopting healthy, practical expectations, Harriet has created a setting where individuals are not placed under the pressure of external measures but are instead supported to grow at their own pace. This philosophy also understands that this transformative progress is often very slow, very quiet, and very personal. It builds lasting independence by respecting each individual’s right to direct their own life, where every step they take is grounded in confidence, dignity, and purpose.
