Reaching middle and high school are such exciting, yet stressful times in your child’s life. They begin to get a sense of independence and how they want to use it. This independence often can nurture and promote daily living skills or tasks that will prepare them for their future. Below are a variety of tasks and skills that your child can start taking ownership for as they transition into adulthood.
Many children show proficiency with these skills with repetition in their natural environment, but some may need extra support to achieve these independent living skills goals. The Munroe-Meyer Institute has a “skills apartment” that the occupational therapy department uses to evaluate and treat clinical plans of care to address a variety of independent daily living skills. Our goal is to support you and your child in a smooth and safe transition into adulthood.
Some of the skills being taught:
Grades 6-8
- Chores around the home, including daily responsibilities (emptying the dishwasher) and occasional tasks (shoveling snow, raking leaves).
- Babysit younger siblings.
- Organize for schoolwork (agenda, separate notebooks for each subject).
- Plan time, including after-school activities, homework, and family responsibilities; estimate how long it takes to complete individual tasks, and adjust schedule to fit.
- Self-advocacy during doctor’s appointments (communicate his or her concerns, list of medications, provide date of birth, demographics, checking in, etc.).
Grades 9-12
- Chores around the home, including daily responsibilities (vacuuming or sweeping floors) and occasional tasks (changing sheets, raking leaves).
- Driving.
- Job exploration/finances.
- Plans after high school.
- Self-advocacy during doctor’s appointments, beginning to assist with scheduling appointments.
Age 18+
- Living independently, assisted, etc.
- College vs. work.
- Money management (rent, utilities, etc.).
- Medical management (If own guardian, making all medical decisions independently).
- Other instrumental activities of daily living (pet management, home maintenance, community mobility).