Teaching Life Skills to

Students with Autism

By: Shannon Horan

Definition: Autism is a complex neurobehavioral disorder characterized by challenges with social
skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication as well as by unique strengths and
differences.

❏ There is not ONE Autism. Autism runs on a “spectrum” due to the fact that there are many
types caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences.

❏ The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that Autism affects every 1 in 68 children in
the United States.
❏ This also includes 1 in every 42 boys and 1 in every 189 girls.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Objective
The objective of this learning
module is to ensure that
individuals with Autism have an
equal opportunity to lead semi-
independent adult lives. This
learning module covers tips and
strategies for teaching students
with Autism how to perform
different life skill tasks such
as cooking, personal hygiene,
shopping, handling money, etc.
Cooking

❏ Provide learners with the opportunity to choose the dish

that they wish to make. Maybe it’s a favorite!
❏ Provide simple, concrete instructions.
❏ Consider text: sizes, colors, fonts.
❏ Consider auditory instructions: play/pause as needed.
❏ Consider a checklist
❏ Model each instruction as necessary.
❏ Provide students with manipulatives that can be helpful
in aiding measurements.
❏ Provide positive feedback and praise.
❏ Use repetition.
Personal Hygiene
❏ Set goals for personal hygiene.
❏ Provide schedules for when to complete
personal hygiene tasks.
❏ Provide a checklist with the individual steps
needed to complete each task.
❏ Consider a task analysis.
❏ Consider a social story.
❏ Model each step for the student.
❏ Consider the sensory disorder.
❏ Offer different materials or locations for completing
the task.
 Washing hands,
taking a
shower/bath, or
using the
bathroom.

Brushing Teeth
Shopping
❏ Give students the power of choice. Allow them to choose a field
trip location to learn the skill of shopping.
❏ Provide each student with their own personalized shopping list.
❏ Consider specific font sizes, colors, images, etc.
❏ Consider a numbered or bulleted list.
❏ Consider making it fun with a scavenger hunt.
❏ Model with students how to maneuver the store.
❏ Keep in mind students with severe Autism may have mobility
impairments.
❏ Provide an extended amount of time.
❏ Encourage peer interaction.
❏ Use the buddy system.
❏ Teach skills for social interaction.
❏ Asking employees for help finding an item.
❏ Checking out with cashiers.
❏ Consider a social story.
Handling Money
❏ Set goals.
❏ Provide manipulatives to aid in visualization.
❏ Consider fraction activities.
❏ Model for students how to count and make change.
❏ Use fake money, play money games.
❏ Create a money based reward system.
❏ Provide real life simulations and experiences.
❏ Tie handling money into a shopping experience.
❏ Allow students to set up a school store.
❏ Allow students to set up a school bank account.
❏ Encourage students to self-monitor
❏ Consider this while progress monitoring.
❏ Provide positive feedback.
❏ Provide alternative means of assessment.
References
2018, December 17). How Does Autism Impact Learning and Development? Retrieved from
https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/understanding-autism/how-does-autism-impact-learning-and-
development
Rudy, L. J. (2019, August 18). Making Sense of the 3 Levels of Autism. Retrieved from
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-the-three-levels-of-autism-260233
(n.d.). Support Autism Speaks goal to enhance lives today and accelerate a spectrum of solutions for
tomorrow. Retrieved from
http://faq.autismspeaks.org/info/faq/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7Omzvtm35AIVhZyzCh1S1AS9EAAYASAAEgI
ThPD_BwE#1
(2018, August 31). The UDL Guidelines. Retrieved from
http://udlguidelines.cast.org/?utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=none&utm_source=udlcenter&utm_content=
site-banner

(n.d.). What Is Autism? Retrieved from https://asatonline.org/for-parents/what-is-

autism/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7-jRoNi35AIVEbbICh0SCQ5gEAAYASAAEgIzPvD_BwE