For Maddy, leaving school wasn’t just about finishing Year 12. It was about discovering what adulthood could look like on her own terms.
Today, Maddy is more confident, independent and connected than ever before. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, sharing jokes and embracing new experiences. But getting to this point took planning, patience and personalised support.
Getting her bearings
During her school years, Maddy spent significant periods in hospital due to illness. The disruption made it difficult to build friendships and left her naturally cautious in social situations. While she maintained a small circle of close friends at school, social connection didn’t come easily, and she often withdrew into herself.
Maddy thrives on routine, structure and predictability. She has a remarkable ability to read people and carefully chooses who she lets into her world, often taking time to build trust and feel comfortable in new environments. As the end of school approached, the uncertainty of what came next felt overwhelming for both Maddy and her family.
“We were so unsure of what Maddy wanted to do,” says Maddy’s mum Lerissa. “Maddy was unsure and we were unsure.”
Like many families, they knew school provided routine, purpose and familiarity, but what life after Year 12 might look like was unclear.
“We knew it was going to be a battle, and it started as a battle,” Lerissa said.
“I’ve seen other teens leave school without a plan and find it hard to adjust. It was important to me, and to Maddy, that she finished school knowing what came next.”
Shifting gears
The transition from school was not something Maddy or her family wanted to navigate alone. Like many parents, Lerissa worried about whether Maddy would enjoy life after school and find her place in adult life. So, in the months leading up to graduation, the Ability Options team worked alongside Maddy and Lerissa to explore and gradually introduce different supports.
The flexibility to start slowly, tailor services to Maddy’s needs and build her confidence over time helped create a foundation for success.
Around eight months before graduating, Maddy was introduced to support workers who would assist her with one-on-one daily living and community supports. At the same time, she began attending day program activities for a half day each week, giving her an opportunity to explore new interests and build connections while still at school.
For someone who values routine and predictability, introducing change at her own pace allowed Maddy to ease into new environments, meet new people and discover activities she enjoyed. She tried everything from jewellery making, arts and crafts and cooking to karaoke, community outings and recreational activities.
Having the chance to discover what she liked (and what she didn’t!) helped Maddy feel comfortable with the people, places and activities that would become part of her daily life out of school.
Connecting with the world
Over the past year Maddy has been supported to connect with people, explore new experiences and develop everyday living skills. The growth her family has seen extends beyond day program and into life at home.
Where Maddy would once retreat to her room after school, she now spends more time with family, enjoying nights out and looking forward to social activities. She’s become confident speaking with others, more comfortable in social settings and far more willing to show her personality.
“She’s cheeky, telling jokes and playing pranks. It means she’s comfortable with the people around her” says Lerissa.
Alongside growing social confidence, Maddy has been developing greater independence in her daily life. She’s eating healthier, exercising more, and her personal care has improved remarkably.
Maddy is embracing adulthood with a growing sense of self-agency.
The power of choice and control
Perhaps the biggest change for Maddy has been discovering the power of choice and control.
When Maddy first joined Ability Options, she was told something simple but powerful: this is about you.
Instead of following a fixed school timetable, Maddy now has a greater say in how she spends her time, what activities she participates in and the goals she wants to work towards. That sense of ownership and agency has helped her develop confidence in making decisions and shaping her own future.
According to Lerissa, Maddy is thriving.
“When you finish school, all the possibilities and decisions about what’s next can feel overwhelming,” she said. “But if you have the right support, you’ll flourish.”
For Maddy, adulthood hasn’t meant losing the structure and support she needs. It has meant gaining the confidence to explore new possibilities, build meaningful connections and create a life that reflects who she is and the choices she makes.
Leaving school and not sure about what’s next? You don’t need to have it all figured out. We’re here to help you discover what comes next after finishing school, supporting you to build independence and transition into adulthood with confidence.
