COMMUNICATING ADULTHOOD - THE MEANINGS OF INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR PEOPLE WITH SIGNIFICANT COGNITIVE DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES

The status of adulthood has many more dimensions to it than simply rea ching the age of majority. ?he dimensions of adulthood are discussed i n terms of various definitions or ''meanings.'' The article gives part icular attention to how the definitions apply to adults with significa nt cognitive disabilities and language disorders and draws on a combin ation of both personal experience and professional research. The perso nal support agent strategy is presented as one way to help families an d adults with significant disabilities negotiate these various definit ions and fulfill the promises of adulthood and independent living.