CLC Teaching Self-Advocacy

CLC- Teaching Self-Advocacy

SPE 359

Kerry Fitzmaurice

Independent Living

For students with disabilities it is important that they learn independent living skills. Depending on the students’ disabilities this may be something that they can catch onto rather easily. However, for those with moderate to severe learning and intellectual disabilities it will take much more time and practice for them to master even the smallest of tasks. They will also need to be taught how the appropriate skills on how to behave in public places. Tasks such as: hygiene, eating healthy, exercising, bathing, dressing, grocery shopping, meal preparation, and laundry are the skills that need to be taught to students with disabilities.

Although for many students with special needs this is something that is easier said than done, it should be something that parents begin to teach at home some can be carried over into their daily school routine as well. These skills are important for these students to ensure that they can live an independent to semi-independent life once they age out of the educational system.

Depending on the students’ disability they may be able to live on their own with minimal assistance however many students with severe disabilities will need constant supervision. Either way these skills are important because even if they live in a group home they still must be able to do the basic skills without assistance just daily reminders.

When it comes to postsecondary skills IDEA transition skills must be incorporated into the students IEP no later than the age of 16. The IEP must include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, and employment. These goals must also be focused on producing results.

References:

Independent Living, Virginia Commonwealth University

Center on Transition Innovations 8/03/2016 retrieved from: http://centerontransition.org/transition/independentliving/index.html

Teaching Important Life Skills, (2017) retrieved from: https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/community-connections/teaching-important-life-skills

Transition Goals in the IEP (2017) retrieved from: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/transition-goals/