Teaching the Life Skills in Special Education

Teaching the Life Skills in Special Education Here is a list of life skills that students/children with developmental delays should be taught once they are able to learn them: Personal InformationName, address, telephone numbers, location of their paper identification, contact information. Sign InformationSigns in the community: Stop, men, women, no smoking, out of order, no loitering,exit, detour, pedestrian crossing, yield, no dogs etc. Important LabelsFlammable, poison, harmful, out of reach of children, high voltage. Knobs, dials, buttons, switches:TV, radio, stove, toasters, washer/dryer, microwave, taps, scales, handles etc. Application FormsSurname, occupation, signatures, initials, references. Finding InformationDictionaries, catalogues, internet, phonebooks, 911, location of important information etc. LabelsPrescription labels, direction labels, recipes, index, table of contents, shopping directories, calendars, important dates, holidays etc. Store TypesGrocery, laundry, hardware, drug store, restaurants, specialty, hairdresser/barber, recreation centres etc. LiteracyThank you cards, basic letters, invitation RSVPs, envelope addresses Basic LawsTraffic signs and signals, no smoking, speed limits, vandalism, noise bylaws, loitering etc. BankingAccount management, debit card use, deposits and withdrawals, writing cheques, understanding statements MoneyIdentification, change, values, coins, paper and equivalencies TimeTelling time, being on time, understanding the difference between analog and ditital, alarm clock settings, times for work, meals and sleep These are just some of the important life skills that students with developmental delays will need to be taught. Some individuals will be capable of learning more of the basic skills than others. However, these basic life skills are an important part of their curriculum. Many activities can be done to help support the learning of these activites - it may take some creativity and hands on experiences.