As you go about your daily activities, you may not be aware of the numerous skills you constantly apply. This might be the case because learning how to carry out routine activities like eating, dressing, or keeping your basic hygiene may have required little effort on your part.
However, children with special needs may find it more difficult to learn these basic skills due to their cognitive or developmental difficulties. Therefore, their curriculum should include lessons designed to teach important life skills. So, let’s look at the various essential life skills you should teach your child with special needs.
Personal Care
It is important to educate your child with special needs about the following:
- The value of a balanced diet
- Exercise
- Healthy eating practises
- Proper nutrition
To ensure they frequently maintain personal hygiene practices, focus primarily on helping them establish those habits. Teach them how to dress appropriately and present themselves well. To assist them with their everyday routine, utilise visual schedules.
Discuss with them the best ways to obtain medical attention and treat common ailments like:
- Fever
- Allergies
- Common cold
Basic Maths
Educate your children to handle money, tell time, and create a personal budget. They should be taught to manage their money and make wise financial judgments.
Motivate them to develop money management and budgeting skills. Explain to them about wise expenditure practices and the value of saving money. Teach them how to handle a bank account, keep a record of their transactions, and pay their taxes and bills on time.
Household skills
It is possible to teach individuals with special needs how to maintain the safety of a home and other practical living skills. Additionally, they can learn how to get their house fixed and service other appliances and heating and cooling systems as needed.
Have a conversation with them regarding renewing or terminating the related agreements and renting or a home leasing. Besides that, they can also be taught how to do things like:
- clean the house
- go grocery shopping
- check the expiration date on meat, canned goods, and other edibles
- proper food storage techniques
Basic Reading
Children with special needs must be trained to navigate the search engines since the internet has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. Besides that, they can acquire the ability to read and comprehend important paperwork.
Additionally, they can be taught how to use maps and signs to travel independently around the neighbourhood.
Community Living
Put your efforts into providing them with an education that teaches them about their legal rights and how to uphold the law. It is also vital to educate them on the following:
- how to file a police report
- seek medical attention for themselves or anyone nearby
- get legal assistance
You can utilise social stories to teach your child with special needs how to act responsibly and obey the law. Remember also to motivate them to vote and stay informed about political developments.
Safety
Explain the significance of safety signs to your child who has special needs. In case of an accident, fire and other possible dangers, they must know how to get to safety. Additionally, they must also be aware of the escape routes in case the building needs to be evacuated.
Occupational Skills
Aside from parents teaching their children, schools for special needs in Malaysia should help students learn how to hunt for jobs and understand the qualifications needed for each position. Moreover, they could also be educated on financial independence and the advantages of a job.
Training children with special needs about workplace expectations and how to adjust to them is important for a seamless transition. Likewise, they can learn how to present themselves professionally at work.
Their ability to cooperate as a team, follow instructions and have knowledge of safety protocols can always be developed. However, they must be willing to receive guidance. Lastly, explain to them the significance of maintaining attendance and performance standards.
Every Child With Special Needs Deserve To Be Included Into Society
Only you know what works best for your child. Teaching your children new abilities will require perseverance and practice. Keep an eye out for educational moments because they can often arise during the most unexpected times. Recognise the hints your child gives you that they are ready to engage at that moment.
Only attempt to teach your child a new skill when they are keen. This will make both of you more anxious and frustrated. Most importantly, strive to incorporate humour and fun into situations wherever possible to assist with the learning process.
