Developing life skills

Life skills, also known as independent living skills or daily living skills, encompass a wide range of activities essential for daily functioning and independence.

These skills include basic self-care tasks such as grooming and dressing, as well as more advanced responsibilities like managing finances and navigating public transportation. Acquiring these skills is crucial for autistic individuals to have an independent life and engage in everyday activities.

Key life skills for independence

Developing life skills involves a variety of essential activities:

• ‍Self-care: Includes personal hygiene, dressing, and eating.‍
• Daily living: Tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and maintaining an organised living space.
• ‍Money management: Budgeting, shopping, and handling money during transactions.‍
• Transport: Understanding how to use public transportation and navigate different routes.‍
• Social skills: Engaging appropriately in social settings, understanding social cues and forming relationships.‍
• Employment skills: Preparing for and sustaining a job, understanding job-related tasks.‍
• Community participation: Taking part in community activities and using public amenities.‍
• Leisure activities: Finding and engaging in hobbies and recreational activities that the person enjoys

Executive functioning is essential for applying important life skills, involving processes like organising, planning, and decision-making.

One key area is safety awareness, where your child learns to recognise potential dangers in different environments. It’s about helping them understand what could be risky and how to stay safe.

Decision-making is another critical skill. It’s about supporting your child to make choices and helping them understand the consequences of those choices, whether they’re small daily decisions or more important ones. 

Self-advocacy is also an important part of executive functioning. This involves teaching your child to express their needs and make informed decisions about their life, giving them the confidence to speak up for themselves.

Practical ways to build your child’s independence

Building independence in a child with autism involves practical, everyday strategies designed to suit their unique needs. Here are some ways you can help build these much-needed skills

Assess their current skill level

Start by evaluating the individual's current skills to identify strengths and areas for improvement. They may need to develop some foundational skills, like fine motor or co-ordination, before they can begin working on their independence skills. 

Simplify skills 

Break down complex skills into smaller, manageable steps to make learning easier and more achievable. Master each step before moving on to the next. 

Alternative communication

For many children with autism, effective communication can be challenging. However, tools like Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) and speech-generating devices, such as tablets with communication apps, can make a world of difference. These systems empower children to express their wants, needs, and feelings more clearly, which is a crucial step toward greater independence.

Using visual schedules

Visual schedules are incredibly helpful in simplifying daily routines for children with autism. By using pictures or symbols to outline the day's activities, children can better understand and anticipate what's coming next. This not only eases transitions between tasks but also encourages them to manage their time and make choices with less assistance.

Teaching self-care skills

Learning personal care skills, like brushing teeth and washing hands, is essential. Incorporating these tasks into a child's daily routine from an early age helps them become familiar with these activities, leading to greater independence over time. Visual schedules can be a great way to reinforce when and how these tasks fit into their day.

Introducing household chores

Involving children in household chores is a great way to teach responsibility and practical life skills. If a task seems too complex, try breaking it down into smaller, manageable steps. For instance, setting the table could start with placing the mats and then gradually include adding cutlery and plates. This step-by-step approach makes learning and completing tasks independently more achievable.

Developing money skills

Understanding how to manage money is vital for everyday independence. You can introduce this concept through simple games like pretend shops or by playing with toy money. As they grow more comfortable, real-life practice, such as handling money during shopping trips, can build their confidence and practical money-handling skills.

Ensuring safety in the community

As children begin to navigate their communities more independently, teaching safety awareness becomes especially important. Start with simple lessons like understanding traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and safety signs. Additionally, carrying an ID card with contact information and important personal details can enhance their safety.

Supporting leisure and play

Finding and engaging in leisure activities that align with a child's interests can significantly improve their quality of life and independence. Whether it's swimming, playing a musical instrument, or joining a sports team, these activities provide opportunities for socialisation and skill development in a fun, structured environment.

Regular skills assessment

Continuously assessing your child's skills is key to recognising their strengths and identifying areas where they need more support. This can be done informally through daily observations or more formally through assessments by education or health professionals. Understanding their current abilities allows you to plan the right strategies to support their ongoing growth.