Often the most valuable skills we learn are ones that help us learn about ourselves. From a physical perspective, eating healthy foods creates more energy, helps maintain a healthy weight and prevents the increased risk of illness or disease later in life. It’s important to know how to get others to say “yes” to your requests, whether it’s a request for someone to buy your products, a request to your boss for flextime, a request to your neighbor to stop parking so close to the curve, and so on. You can break all of these things down into little objectives or daily habits for your loved one.
Because in the end that’s what we are all striving for; a happy and fulfilling lifestyle.
Functional life skills are essential for all individuals to learn and develop as they get older to learn to be more independent with their everyday life.
So with that in mind, we take a look at some essential life skills for adults with disabilities that you and your loved one might consider giving a go. Below you’ll discover 40 skills that every adult should master.
Perhaps you could combine a trip to the shops with a bit of exercise, by choosing to walk to the train station or local store with your loved one.
Living a healthy lifestyle is an integral part of quality of life. The key to a happy life is to sustain two key skills – the willingness and ability to learn new things, unlearn skills that are not useful and relearn them with a new perspective. All people possess life skills that dictate their level of effectiveness in meeting the demands of everyday life. On the first few shopping adventures it may help with confidence levels if you go along for support. At learndirect we believe in partnerships. Teach and practice common courtesy such as opening the door for someone else, giving up your seat on the bus, or waiting in line for a movie ticket behind others. Practice the lessons you learn next time go out together. Have they considered playing sport?
Plus, you never know, they may actually really enjoy doing some of these things around the house!
In fact, looking and smelling good will help nurture a sense of personal pride, help your loved one feel more accepted and can result in praise from others.. But it doesn’t have to be one “big” thing. Supported independent living is the name of the NDIS funding that provides supports to people with disability to help them live as independently as possible. The first impression we make can often be a lasting one, and it’s a sad reality that many people, whether we like it or not, have pre-formed biases towards many minority groups in society.
Washing, ironing, cleaning or gardening may be the type of life skills your loved one can start to build around the house. The more you go out for dinner with your loved one, the more comfortable they will be with the situation.
Once they are familiar with the transport system it will free them up to do more of the things they love, without the required help of anyone else. For adults with intellectual disabilities, they are often relying on their carers to help them better understand these situations. Couple that handshake with the appropriate amount of eye contact, and it will quickly gain the respect of the person they are meeting. For example, if the student is currently able to make macaroni and cheese but wants to learn how to make exquisite lasagna, we continue to support and participate to help accomplish the desired result. But after a while this may be something your loved one can do themselves, growing their independence.
Get more information, learn about our fees, or sign-up for a FREE 30-minute Coaching Session! Our support services include communication skill development and behavioural support to help each individual form important relationships with friends, family and other people. During the process, we explore what worked, what needed to be adjusted and what new learning might need to be done in order to reach the desired outcome.
When your loved one is healthy, it enables them to make the most of other activities such as shopping, household chores and community hobbies. Perhaps the hardest communication skill to develop is in appreciating how much body language contributes to the meaning of a conversation.