Kristin Lombardi, MA, BCBA, helps children and families prepare for independent living in her private practice in Locust Valley, New York. With a background in special education, psychology, and behavior analysis, she works with preschoolers through young adults with varying support needs. Christine Drew, PhD, BCBA-D, is Assistant Professor of Special Education at Auburn University, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses and works with Auburn's inclusive higher education program for students with intellectual disabilities. Prior to becoming a professor, she ran a middle school behavior program.
Description
For parents of neurodiverse children, milestones that many families take for granted--like graduating from high school or college, getting a job, and, eventually, leaving the nest--may be fraught with uncertainty. How can kids who need loads of support to get through the day ever learn to take care of themselves? This motivating, practical book gives worried parents concrete strategies for maximizing the independence of their child or teen with autism, intellectual disabilities, or other forms of neurodiversity. Exercises and downloadable worksheets are rooted in scientifically based behavioral principles and illustrated with vivid, relatable examples. By breaking down tasks like getting dressed, brushing teeth, and making a sandwich into manageable "micro steps," parents learn to phase out assistance gradually and systematically as kids take ownership of their routines. Daily life skills truly can be improved with the right tools--and they are vital stepping stones for the challenges of adulthood.
Foreword, Peter Gerhardt Introduction I. Creating a New Future 1. "Why Aim for Independent Living?": Your Child's Reality Now and in the Future 2. "How Am I Supposed to Do This?": Leveraging the Power of Task Analysis II. Assessment 3. "Is My Child Ready for This?": Evaluating Your Child's Readiness 4. "Are You Ready for This?": Evaluating Your Own Readiness III. How to Teach Life Skills 5. "What Do I Need to Know before I Start?": Understanding Behavior 6. How Do I Use Prompts to Teach?": Empowering versus Enabling IV. Let's Do This! 7. "How Do I Make a Task Analysis?": How to Create a Task Analysis 8. "How Do I Get Myself Out of the Routine?": Fading Prompts to Build Independence V. Maximizing Independence 9. "How Do I Make the Environment Work for My Child?": Modifying the Goal versus Accommodating the Child Epilogue: "How Do I Keep Moving Forward?": Expanding Your Child's Independence Glossary References Index