Life Skills Strategies for Children with Special Needs

I have some students in my classroom who have autism and other diagnosed disabilities. Two of my students are non-verbal and have difficulty staying with the centers I have for other students. In addition they are non-readers. What kind of centers can I have? They can match and we do many relevant life skill activities but I don’t know what to have for centers.

I have a student in my special education classroom who continually wants to take off his shoes. I allow this in my room but I can’t have him walking through the school without his shoes. When it is time for an outside class, I try to explain this to him and start putting on his shoes. He will then throw them and cry or scream. What can I do?

How do you teach a child about not talking to strangers? My 11 year old child will open the door for anyone and also will just go up to people at restaurants/malls or various events and talk to them. She will introduce them to me as her friends. I have tried to verbally explain to her not to just go up to anyone unless I am there but this has not worked.

My child is in kindergarten and doesn’t like to cut. She just becomes frustrated. What can we do at home to help her become more skilled and to like cutting. Everything is cutting in kindergarten!

I really don’t think the students in my Life Skills class know each other’s names. If they do, they certainly don’t use them! Any ideas on how to practice this besides constantly encouraging them to use names?

I have a student who can not keep his spit in his mouth, but he will also purposely spit on his peers.  Do you have any suggestions?

Sometimes I feel like the students in my Life Skills class are rather isolated from the rest of the school, even though they have lunch and specials with their peers. What can I do to increase opportunities for interactions and help my students feel more a part of their school?

What types of adaptive feeding equipment would allow my child to gain greater independence with her self-feeding skills?

My child has special needs and is not currently potty trained on the toilet. How will I know when they are ready to begin toilet training?

My child is 5 years old and cannot sit through dinner with the family. He will jump up, come back take a few bites, if any bites at all, bang on the table, and sometimes just leave and play with his toys. We never have a peaceful family meal. Any suggestions?