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      https://alphaschool.com/essential-life-skills-for-success-special-needs-children/

      Version:1.0 StartHTML:000000244 EndHTML:000095431 StartFragment:000041618 EndFragment:000095399 StartSelection:000041618 EndSelection:000095399 SourceURL:https://alphaschool.com/essential-life-skills-for-success-special-needs-children/ Understanding 10 Essential Life Skills for a special needs student

       
               
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      • 10 Essential Life Skills for Success (Special Needs Children)

      10 Essential Life Skills for Success (Special Needs Children)

       

      Fostering independence in children is an important goal of any parent. Through different developmental stages, progressive “windows of opportunity” emerge to foster skills that will ultimately lead to independence. Understandably, parents want their children to be ready when these changes occur.

      How can I help my special needs child increase their level of independence?

      For all children, and especially those with special needs, achieving independence is an important part of the journey into adulthood. From the moment we wake in the morning, we go through certain tasks, known as “life skills.” These tasks could include typical activities such as making the bed, performing bathroom routines, getting dressed, making meals, communicating and so many others. For most, the list is virtually endless.

      But with the right preparation and patience, children can develop the essential skills required to foster independent living. And beyond just telling students how to practice these essential life skills, students must be guided in a practical way so that they not only learn about what is being taught but learn how to apply it in the real world.

      The 1​0 Essential Life Skills for Special Needs Children

      cooking class at the alpha school for special needs students

      Life skills for special needs children play an essential role in improving sensory processing, communication, safety, social relationships and ultimately, acquiring independence. Here are just 10 of the essential life skills we cover with our students at Alpha School:

      1.  Self-Care​

      Create and rehearse daily routines such as personal daily hygiene, proper nutrition, exercise, getting dressed, table manners, dealing with common illnesses such as a cold, managing stress, etc.Enter your text here...

      2.  Pre-Vocational Skills​

      Transition youth from being a student to being a contributing member of society by developing skills such as looking and applying for a job, interviewing, understanding job requirements, etc. 

      3.  Daily Living Skills

      Develop practical living skills such as safety, finding information (internet), traveling (reading a map), home care (housecleaning), money skills (bank accounts), shopping, etc.

      4.  Community-Based Instruction​

      Focus on social skills and safety as students gain experience in different community environments. 

      5.  Leisure and Recreational Skills​

      Encourage and guide students to use their talents as they establish important job skills.

      6.  Functional Reading

      Apply visual communication methods such as recognizing symbols, reading maps and signs, navigating the internet, etc., to help students make important day-to-day choices.

      7.  Functional Math​

      Teach students to count money, tell time, manage personal budgets, measure and understand volume, etc., to improve real-life decision-making skills.

      8.  Work-Related Behaviors

      Expose students to the workforce where they will have the opportunity to directly apply job-related behaviors and emphasize good work habits such as following directions, being punctual, understanding authority and working as a team.

      9.  Shopping Skills

      Prepare students to apply skills in a variety of different business experiences from creating a shopping list to using money to purchase goods at the grocery store.

      10.  Cooking and Laundry Skills

      Learn and apply more in-depth daily living skills and chores, such as cooking and laundry skills. This not only establishes a responsibility for routines and organizational skills but also sets a foundation for self-sufficiency.

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      Life Skills for Special Needs Children at Alpha School

      In addition to the academic programs at Alpha School, students are exposed to a wide range of practical and functional living skills designed specifically to prepare them to live in their community, engage in the workplace and feel independent at home. Since 1980, RKS Associates has been a leader in meeting the needs of special education students and helping children grow to their fullest potential.

      Request a Tour

      To learn more about why our life skills program is the most effective way to help your child, contact us at our main office at 732.370.1150 or find an RKS location near you.

      732.370.1150
       
       
       
      October 17, 2017 in Alpha School Articles
       
       
       
       
       
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      The Alpha School offers a warm, inviting atmosphere where their professional, dedicated and compassionate staff creates an optimal setting for learning. Their programs are designed to address the children’s individual global development, while they work closely with families and sending districts. It has been a consistent pleasure to work with a school where we can send our children with confidence.
      Child Study Team Member, OceanTownship
      Susan M. Fisher, Psy.D.
           
       
      The Alpha School’s commitment to their special population of children can be seen in the great accomplishments these children make over the years. What can’t be done is done. The dedication and love the staff shows to our kids reflect the miracles that are a daily occurrence at Alpha School.
      Alpha School Parent
           
       
      Having worked with the Alpha School for over 25 years, parents often say to me, “Why can’t my child stay here forever?” Alpha School embodies the spirit of the value of each individual as a unique gift to the universe. I truly enjoy working with the staff at the Alpha School as they provide students with the educational program along with the services they need. I really tell everyone that you guys are the very best.
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      Ann Gacek Certified School Psychologist
           
       

       

      Alpha School News

      • Protecting Your Mental Health Amid COVID-19 NewsMarch 24, 2020
      • Important update regarding our school operations (as of March 16, 2020)March 15, 2020
      • Special Needs Transition Timeline for Ages 19-22March 2, 2020
      • Guardianship Lunch n Learn Seminar with Stephanie Shreter (GAP)February 22, 2020
      • Fire Safety for the Special Needs Population-Training starts from school to homeJanuary 17, 2020
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      Alpha School News

      • Protecting Your Mental Health Amid COVID-19 NewsMarch 24, 2020
      • Important update regarding our school operations (as of March 16, 2020)March 15, 2020
      • Special Needs Transition Timeline for Ages 19-22March 2, 2020
      • Guardianship Lunch n Learn Seminar with Stephanie Shreter (GAP)February 22, 2020
      • Fire Safety for the Special Needs Population-Training starts from school to homeJanuary 17, 2020

      Featured Corner

      View our award winning documentary "I am an artist".

      This preview represents the heartwarming documentary about how art can transform a child with a variety of disabilities, to an artist having their creations in a gallery.

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