Resources for Life Skills Training for Families of Children and Adults with Special Needs

Raising and supporting a child or adult with special needs requires not only love and dedication but also practical life skills to help them thrive. Life skills training is especially important for individuals with special needs to foster independence, improve daily living abilities, and develop essential social and communication skills. Families play a crucial role in this process, and having access to the right resources can make all the difference. Below are valuable programs, tools, and services designed specifically to support families of children and adults with special needs in building life skills.

1. Specialized Online Learning Platforms

Online platforms now offer life skills training specifically designed for individuals with disabilities and their families. These courses focus on developing independence in areas like personal care, money management, communication, and safety.

Recommended Platforms:

• ABLE United – Offers financial literacy training specifically for families managing special needs trusts and ABLE accounts.

• Future Horizons – Provides webinars and resources focusing on life skills for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.

• Understood.org – Offers life skills guides and online learning tools for families raising children with learning and thinking differences.

• GCFLearnFree.org – Free basic skills training (money management, job readiness, and technology) that can be adapted for various learning needs.

2. Community-Based Life Skills Programs

Many local disability service agencies offer life skills training, both for children and adults with special needs and for their caregivers. These programs often include independent living skills, self-advocacy, and job readiness.

Examples:

• The Arc – Provides life skills and self-advocacy training for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Easterseals – Offers transition programs focused on employment, social skills, and independent living.

• Center for Independent Living (CIL) – Provides peer mentoring, independent living skills classes, and advocacy support for individuals with disabilities.

3. School-Based Transition Programs

For families with teens and young adults, school districts often provide transition programs designed to prepare students with special needs for adulthood. These programs focus heavily on life skills.

Common Topics Covered:

• Daily living skills (cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene)

• Time and money management

• Social communication and relationship skills

• Travel training (public transportation use)

How to Access:

• Ask your child’s IEP team about transition services starting at age 14 or 16 (depending on your state).

• Contact your school district’s Transition Coordinator.

4. Family Support and Parent Training Programs

Parents and caregivers also benefit from learning how to teach life skills at home in ways that match their child’s learning style and abilities. Many organizations offer training for parents.

Recommended Programs:

• Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI) – Provides workshops, webinars, and resources to help families teach self-advocacy and daily living skills.

• Family Voices – Offers support to families navigating healthcare, independence, and advocacy for children with special needs.

• Autism Speaks Transition Tool Kit – Covers independent living skills for families with children and teens on the autism spectrum.

5. Apps and Assistive Technology for Life Skills

There are apps and digital tools designed specifically for individuals with special needs to build life skills at their own pace, with visual supports and adaptive features.

Recommended Apps:

• Choiceworks – Helps teach daily routines, decision-making, and emotional regulation.

• MagnusCards – Provides step-by-step visual guides for life skills like shopping, cooking, and banking.

• Todo Visual Schedule – Assists with time management and daily task completion.

• Moneyville – Teaches money skills in an accessible and fun way.

6. Respite and Recreational Programs with Life Skills Focus

Recreational programs designed for children and adults with special needs often integrate life skills training into fun, hands-on activities. These programs help build confidence and independence in real-world settings.

Examples:

• Special Olympics Young Athletes – Focuses on teamwork, communication, and motor skills.

• YMCA Adaptive Programs – Offers fitness, cooking, and social skills classes designed for individuals with disabilities.

• Camp Programs for Special Needs – Many summer camps include life skills training, such as personal care, cooking, and teamwork.

7. Person-Centered Planning and Advocacy Tools

As children and adults with special needs work on life skills, it’s important to empower them to be part of their own planning process. Many resources help families develop person-centered plans that outline goals for independence.

Recommended Tools:

• Charting the LifeCourse – A framework that helps families create vision and action plans for life skills development across the lifespan.

• Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) – Offers tools and training for individuals with disabilities to advocate for their own needs and preferences.

• Ready, Set, Fly! – A life skills training guide designed for youth transitioning to adulthood, adaptable for different abilities.

Life skills training is essential for individuals with special needs to thrive at home, at work, and in their communities. By accessing specialized resources, community programs, assistive technology, and parent training, families can help their loved ones build confidence, independence, and essential life skills. Supporting these lifelong abilities not only improves quality of life but also empowers individuals with special needs to reach their full potential.