The Guide to Adulting: Helping Young People with Disability Navigate Real Life
The gap between school and adult life is significant for any young person — but for 16 to 21 year olds with disability, that transition often comes without adequate support around the real-world skills that matter most. That’s why FS Academy created the Guide to Adulting program.
What Is Guide to Adulting?
Guide to Adulting is an 8-week program specifically designed for young people aged 16 to 21 who are living with disability or supported learning needs. It combines two essential areas of life preparation: financial literacy and relationship skills.
Roughly half of the program focuses on money management, and the other half on healthy relationships, friendships, and communication. Together, these two areas represent the practical foundation for adult independence.
Why These Two Topics Together?
Money and relationships might seem like separate topics — but for young people with disability entering adulthood, they are deeply connected. Financial exploitation often occurs through relationships. Healthy relationships require communication skills that also support better financial decision-making. Teaching these skills together creates a more complete foundation.
What Participants Learn
Relationships and Communication
- Building healthy friendships
- Communicating needs and boundaries
- Recognising healthy versus unhealthy relationships
- Navigating social situations with confidence
Financial Literacy
- Budgeting and understanding income
- Saving strategies and goal setting
- Safe banking and avoiding scams
- Understanding bills and financial responsibility
Designed as a Feeder Pathway
Guide to Adulting also serves as a natural introduction to FS Academy’s more in-depth Date-Ability program. Young participants who complete Guide to Adulting and want to continue building their relationship skills are well placed to transition into Date-Ability when they are ready.
Enrol a Young Person
If you are a parent, carer, support coordinator, or school transition officer looking for a practical life skills program for a young person with disability, Guide to Adulting may be the right fit. Contact FS Academy via fsacademy.com.au to discuss upcoming intake dates.