Some Support • First Decisions • Goal 2:
Develop Life Skills
Action step 1.
Identify daily life skills you need for your preferred living situation.
As you scan potential living options, take time also to imagine your daily living routines in a new home. If you have not lived alone before, planning for shopping, cooking and doing chores can make the transition to a new living situation easier.
One good exercise is to ask a trusted person to help you imagine a typical day and week and note all the routines and related skills that you and they identify.
If you are working with service providers in a transition support program or at school, they can also help you figure out which skills will help you reach your goals.
Resources
Action step 2.
Develop routines for daily living.
Based on that exercise, consider setting short- and long-term goals to help you prioritize which skills to focus on first. You also can decide to learn or improve skills that will support your new routines by practicing them ahead of your move.
The important thing is to pace yourself. Some skills are possible to learn or get better at as you go. Keep a record of your goals in writing, pictures or other ways that help you process and remember information.
It's also useful to take time to imagine a schedule of your day-to-day home routines and essential tasks. You might feel comfortable making a written list or timetable as you do this.
Your support network can help answer questions, set goals, practice skills and create a schedule.
Resources
You’ve reached the end of the action steps for this support level and age group.
- To find services and providers in your area, visit our Resource Guide.
- For direct contact with a member of our Autism Response Team, call 1-888-AUTISM2 (1-888-288-4762)
- Send an email to: help@autismspeaks.org.
