Preparing for adulthood - at age 18

WHAT: Get your child a provincial photo card.

WHY: When they no longer have a student ID card, and if they do not have a driver’s license, this can be a useful form of official identification.

WHAT: If your kid has a bank account (alone or jointly with a parent/guardian), check on the details of that account and talk to the bank about alternatives and options.

WHY: Many bank accounts are free for school-aged children and teens, and these may convert automatically to a different fee structure on your kid’s 18^th birthday. Sadly, Canada has no policy that requires banks to offer no-fee or reduced-fee accounts to people with low income. Take the time to educate your banking staff about the limits placed on people receiving ODSP and work with them to come up with a solution that won’t have your kid’s income, which on ODSP is already well below the poverty line, further diminished by banking fees. In my experience, BMO in particular is a bank that has worked hard to be ASD-friendly, and our local branch demonstrated a commitment to find a way to continue a no-free account, at least for now.

WHAT: Help your kid apply for ODSP

WHY: Your kid’s entitled to, and is going to need, the money. Note that the earliest you can apply is six months before your kid turns 18, and an early start is useful. You will need to have a physician involved, so be sure to give your doctor some advance notice.

WHAT: If you live in Toronto, put your kid on the list for Toronto Community Housing.

WHY: They might not be offered housing for many, many years, but it’s better to be on the list and turn it down than to need it and never be on the list. Note that this can be done at age 17.