Our Daily Living Skills (DLS) program is designed to support individuals with disabilities ages 5 to 17. We aim to help our kids build essential life skills to become more independent, integrate into the community, and ultimately increase their quality of life. Each child’s DLS plan is tailored to their unique strengths, interests, and areas for growth.
In-home: Our in-home DLS services are offered in a familiar and comfortable environment for your loved one. Under the supervision of our In-home Supervisor, a dedicated Daily Living Skills Instructor will visit your home weekly to work 1:1 with your loved one. In-home services allow the opportunity to work collaboratively with caregivers and include siblings(s) in goals.
Center-based: Our center-based DLS services are offered in our center to foster independence and skill development and promote the generalization of skills with peers in various settings. Under the supervision of our Center Supervisor, dedicated Daily Living Skills Instructors work with your loved one in a 1:1, 2:1, or 3:1 ratio, depending on the needs of your loved one.
Areas of focus may include-
Functional Communication: Building verbal or alternative communication skills to express needs and preferences effectively.
Self-Advocacy: Teaching children to understand their needs and confidently communicate them in various settings.
Social Skills: Learning to navigate interactions with peers, family members, and the community.
Employability Skills: Developing essential work-related habits and routines to prepare for future opportunities.
Hygiene Skills: Practicing personal care routines such as brushing teeth, washing hands, and dressing.
Simple Meal and Snack Preparation: Gaining independence in preparing and enjoying food safely.
Recreation and Leisure: Exploring hobbies and activities to promote healthy and enjoyable downtime.
Barrier Behavior Reduction and Redirection Strategies: Identifying and minimizing behaviors that interfere with daily activities and replacing them with positive alternatives.
Healthy Coping Skills: Developing strategies to manage emotions, reduce stress, and navigate challenging situations effectively.
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
Beyond working directly with the individual, the team engages family members, including siblings and caregivers, to support a collaborative and inclusive approach. Involving the family creates a unified framework that strengthens relationships and fosters a supportive environment for the child’s growth and development.
This program is invaluable for families seeking practical, hands-on support to help their child gain confidence and independence.
Advocating for your loved one can feel overwhelming and isolating. We offer group and individual training to help families gain the knowledge, skills, and support they need to advocate confidently across all environments!
Format & Accessibility
Sessions are held in person at our center and available virtually for your convenience. Each session includes dedicated time for:
Asking questions.
Sharing experiences and concerns.
Accessing ready-to-use resources for home and community settings.
What You’ll Learn
Our trainings focus on providing practical strategies and support to help families:
Increase functional communication skills.
Establish structure and routine.
Promote independence and safety awareness.
Set high expectations for growth.
Determine effective strategies based on their loved one’s needs for success.
Topics May Include
Understanding your role and rights at IEP meetings.
Decoding IEPs, PTPs, BIPs, SOPs, and more.
Behavior management strategies for home and community.
Preparing for community-based employment.
Navigating outside agencies like ADRC and DVR.
Building financial literacy and exploring guardianship options.
Planning for life after high school
We understand the challenges families and communities face when striving to thoroughly and safely include individuals with special needs. We use a collaborative, family-centered approach to create a customized safety plan to keep your loved one safe in various environments. We develop the plan by working directly with those who know your loved one best.
To start this process, we will visit families’ homes to assess and determine the materials, equipment, routines, and strategies necessary to support the individual’s and family’s success. We will also write letters of recommendation to help families obtain essential plan items at no cost.
What an Individualized Safety Plan May Include
Functional Communication Strategies: Tools to help the individual express their needs effectively.
Structure and Routine: Supported by visual aids for consistency.
Sensory Tools and Materials: To help regulate emotions and behaviors.
Safety Features: Special locks and sensors for windows and doors.
High Expectations: Collaborate to set and achieve meaningful goals for the individual and family.
Training and Technical Assistance: Ensuring the plan is practical and sustainable.
IEP Bridging: Connecting school-developed IEP strategies to home and community settings.
Flexible and Accessible Services
This service is customized to meet each family’s needs. Our staff are available during daytime and evening hours to help develop and implement these plans.