Building Independence: Preparing Your Child for Life Beyond Home with Dr. Molly Sullivan Denny.

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Episode Summary:

In this episode, Valerie sits down with Dr. Molly Sullivan Denny, Director of  Daymark Living to talk about preparing young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for life beyond the family home. Dr. Molly shares both practical strategies and inspiring stories, highlighting the importance of starting early, building independence step by step, and engaging a supportive team of family, friends, and professionals. Whether your child is just beginning to learn daily living skills or is closer to transitioning into their forever home, this episode will give you encouragement, ideas, and hope for the journey ahead.

Dr. Molly Sullivan Denny has a BA degree with a focus in communication sciences and disorders. She has a master’s and doctoral degrees from Texas Woman’s University with a research focus on the effects of early intervention on the development of children with Down syndrome and the family dynamics of perceptions of siblings who have a child with special needs in their family. Currently she is the Director of Community Life for Daymark Living since 2015.

Key Takeaways:

Build a team: Involve family, friends, and even special needs attorneys or financial planners to support decision-making and long-term planning.

Start early: Daily living skills take time—teaching tasks like dressing, cooking simple meals, or cleaning up should begin when children are young.

Focus on independence: Break tasks into steps and allow children to practice, even when it takes longer. Skills learned early reduce reliance later.

Celebrate small wins: From buckling a car seat to folding socks, every achievement matters and builds confidence.

Inclusion matters: Even if a child cannot perform tasks independently, exposing them to routines (like laundry or cooking) helps them understand their world and participate in family life.

Adaptive tools and therapy: Occupational therapists and adaptive equipment can make daily tasks more manageable and empowering.

Think forward: Look at your child’s current day and compare it to what you want their day to look like in the future—then bridge the gap step by step.

Reflection Question:

What’s one small skill you can begin teaching or encouraging your child this week that will help them build independence for the future?

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your biggest takeaways from this episode on social media or send us a message.

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more families who need guidance and encouragement on this journey.

Connect with Dr. Molly Sullivan Denny:

[e-mail]                         

https://www.daymarkliving.com

https://www.facebook.com/DaymarkLiving

https://www.instagram.com/daymarkliving/

Connect with me:

[e-mail]

 

Music Acknowledgement: Audio Coffee - Denys Kyshchuk

Editor: Scott Arbeau

Link for book: The S.H.I.N.E. Principle: The special needs mom's path to strength, hope and happiness by Valerie Arbeau

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CW18ZXGX (Canada)

https://a.co/d/03hFdZI4 (United States)

Learn more about your host at:
https://coachingwithvalerieanne.com/