Life SKills Training

People of all ages with Autism Spectrum Disorders may need help with independent living skills: the ability to care for themselves at home, school, work, in the community and in other settings. Applied Behavior Analysis therapy focuses on several elementary basic life skills. These include toileting, feeding oneself, dressing oneself and basic hygiene. As a child or teenager with an Autism Spectrum Disorder becomes more independent, the independent living component of an autism treatment program is often expanded to include cleaning up messes, snack/meal preparation, independent transitions between locations, executive functioning skills, etc.

At Pathfinder Behavioral, the ultimate goal for all of our clients is that they live as independently as possible as adults. Beginning early, our pre-teen and teenage clients are provided the opportunity to receive transitional training through our life skills and transition program. This program focuses on advanced skills as:

• Using public transportation
• Managing a bank account
• Budgeting
• Job searching
• Vocational training
• Personal hygiene
• Sexuality/Self-Awareness

We believe in the importance of teaching independent living skills to children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders since these skills give them greater control over their lives and offer more choices for the future. These skills are key in developing a self-determined individual who can identify goals and systematically work toward them.