Independence looks different for everyone. For one person, independence might mean the ability to leave the house on their own, while for another, it might mean completing daily tasks with minimal assistance. Ultimately, independence is about agency and the right to determine one's own path.
As children with autism grow into teenagers and adults, they begin to assign their own meanings to independence. Establishing daily living skills can help autistic teens and adults reach their goals of independent living and participate more confidently in the communities they are part of.
Put simply, daily living skills (DLS) are the practical skills that people use to navigate their day-to-day lives independently. They are also referred to as activities of daily living (ADLs). Broadly, both terms describe activities foundational to self-care and independent living.
A few examples of these skills are:
Though all people develop daily living skills at different rates, individuals with autism may experience unique challenges and therefore require unique teaching approaches. Research suggests that ASD can have an adverse impact on everyday independence from a young age, resulting from factors like:
Focusing on developing independent living goals and daily living skills is particularly important for autistic teens as they transition to young adulthood. In doing so, schools, families, and service providers can help develop skills that support employment, community participation, higher education, and, in some cases, independent living.
It is important to note that every autistic individual has different strengths and goals. Independence should always be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, never through the lens of comparisons with peers.
The most effective daily living skill (DLS) activities combine the following:
Now that we’ve reviewed the core tenets of effective daily living skills, let's take a look at a few strategies you can implement.
Checklists are especially effective because they both provide consistency and reduce memory demands. Consider checklists that can be visually marked as complete, such as laminated printouts, dry-erase boards, or digital note-taking applications.
Some examples of checklists include:
Flashcards and worksheets provide visual cues, allow for repetition, and reinforce routines while developing academic skills such as vocabulary. You can either create your own or purchase them premade through sites like Etsy.
Some examples of instances where you can use flashcards and worksheets include:
Breaking routines into smaller steps can make them far more approachable for people with IDDs. Websites like Goblin Tools can break a given task into individual steps. Even better, this tool’s “spiciness” setting lets you customize the level of detail for each step, and each step can be broken down further.
For example, a task like “do laundry” would become:
Breaking large tasks into smaller chunks can reduce overwhelm and encourage your loved one to initiate tasks on their own.
Technology can help make your routines stick. Consider using built-in tools, such as your phone’s reminder system, to help your loved one stay on track.
If you’re looking for more specialized routine tracking, there are plenty of apps available. For instance, the Routinery app allows your loved one to create or select their own custom routines and provides step-by-step walkthroughs with on-screen timers. This can help ensure they don’t spend too long on one task, thereby keeping them moving throughout their remaining routines.
Emphasizing routine, approachability, and predictability can help you provide necessary support as your autistic teenager or adult develops their daily living skills. Focusing on creating long-lasting daily living skills can help your autistic teenager or adult reach their own goals for independence.
Remember that support can come from a wide range of sources. If you’re a California resident, the Self Determination Program can help your autistic teen or adult reach their goals for independence by providing them greater agency and flexibility. An SDP could help your family pay for or access resources like:
Interested in the Self Determination Program, but unsure where to start? NeuroNav can help! NeuroNav’s independent facilitation services can help you and your family understand SDP options, find qualified providers, and navigate the approval process.
Want to learn more? Schedule a free consultation today.