What do we think of when considering Life Skills? Sewing? Giving a presentation? Car maintenance? As is typical with each person on the autism spectrum, it depends. When teaching a Life Skills class for higher-functioning autistic students, I started with a strategy:
A. Who is the person(s) we are teaching these skills to?
B. Are there disabilities, challenges, or interests that make certain types of life skills more likely to be learned and others less likely to be learned?
C. What level of independent living will this person be able to sustain?
Key Point: Many students learn skills through passive watching, imitation, or practicing a few times, Autism Spectrum Disorder kids and adults need explicit instruction using a variety of learning modalities (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile, linguistic/verbal) with a higher amount of repetition/practice to master a skill.
In a quarter-long course at the high school level, we chose 9 categories on which to focus:
Hygiene, health, and bad smells--bathroom travel kit contents, gym/workout bag, avoiding diarrhea/dealing with it, the wonders of wet wipes, bathroom cleanliness
Keeping your "stuff" clean--clothes and bedding, dishes/food, appropriate storage (valuables, documents), what to do when losing valuables or an important item
Shopping for food--gas station diet vs. fast food vs. deli vs. cooking for yourself
Go shopping for healthy snacks that will last a few days
Barbershop, salon trip--waiting on site, manners, tipping, hairstyles/options
Finding an apartment--organizing questions about it (utilities), calling/e-mailing and having a conversation about it, taking notes on the conversation, what to do with these notes
Outfitting an apartment--living, cooking, cleaning, organization, entertainment, decoration, living room, bedroom, bathroom, finding used items online at a lower price than new, controlling smells...
Crises in life--finding support/help, 911 vs. county dispatch, AAA car towing, handyman services (get a quote), county health and human services department
Cars--basics on how they work, routine maintenance, routine problems, solutions, safety, alternatives to owning a car
What was not included? Dating, boundaries, and sex, airport/subway/train travel, how to deal with getting lost, finances/budgeting...although we did discuss some of these skills in our warm ups
Warm-up example from this class:
A. What toiletries do you bring with you when you travel from home to somewhere else on a 3-or-more-day trip?
B. Why is it illegal to text and drive in most states?
C. List 4 things to do after a shower.
Resources--we like the layout of these sites related to life skills:
A. https://harborschool.com/2022/01/19/the-7-essential-life-skills-for-those-with-autism/
B. https://www.cfsny.org/essential-life-skills-for-kids-with-autism/
D. https://learningforapurpose.com/2018/01/11/necessary-life-skills-for-teens-with-autism/
E. Don't forget YouTube! Many students do well watching videos and then trying the skill in their own situation. There are too many good videos to try to include a list here.
We have worked with families, schools, and Autism Spectrum Disorder non-profits who aim to prepare kids and young adults for their future. It's been great seeing students build a quiver of skills so that they can pursue their dreams of a more independent life!