Teaching Independence
Teachers, family members, job coaches, therapists, and others are interested in helping individuals with autism learn to be as independent as possible. The list of skills needed for independent living is very long, stretching far beyond bathing, dressing, toileting, fixing a sandwich, and other familiar self-help skills.
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We tend to focus on basic daily living skills when teaching independence, but life involves much more than being able to get dressed, prepare meals, and get ready for bed without help. Let us look at some other skills critical for independent living.
1. Basic self-care – activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting, dressing, care of teeth and hair, laundry, meal preparation, shopping, home care, and other self-help skills.
2. Academics – lifetime skills of reading, writing, functional math, computer literacy, and effective spoken and written communication.
3. Following instructions – paying attention to, comprehending, and complying with instructions, whether written, spoken, or generally understood.
4. Self-starting – knowing that something needs to be done, knowing the sequence of steps, and taking the initiative to get going.
5. Problem solving – recognizing that a problem exists and either coming up with a resolution or asking for assistance when necessary.
6. Emergency procedures – being able to stay calm and knowing what to do in the event of a fire, weather emergency, medical emergency, or other crisis situation.
TIP FOR THE DAY: This list is not all-inclusive, of course, but it illustrates the breadth of self-help skills a person needs in order to live independently. Although some individuals diagnosed with autism can master every skill necessary for successful independence, others will have some limitations for a variety of reasons. Our goal is not perfection, but rather to assist every individual in becoming as self-reliant as possible, given their own unique strengths and deficits.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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