Online ISSN: 2325-7466
2006
Triannual
National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
United States

Articles

Life Skill Programs: An Exploratory Survey of School Based Programming in the Public High School Setting

  • Dr. Kathleen Hegarty Follis OTD, OTR/L (Author) American International College image/svg+xml
    Kathleen Hegarty Follis, OTD, OTR/L is a school based occupational therapist employed at Litchfield School District. In addition to working with grades preschool-12, she also has experience in rehabilitation and acute care. Dr. Hegarty Follis recently earned her Occupationa l Therapy Doctorate Degree from American International College in May 2021 and previously earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Boston University in 2001.
  • Dr. Christina Helfrich PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA (Author) American International College
    Christine Helfrich, PhD, OTR/l, FAOTA is Professor and Post-Professional OTD Capstone Coordinator in the Division of Occupational Therapy at American International College. She is the developer and author of the Life Skills Intervention series and regularly provides research, curriculum, and fieldwork consultation.
  • Dr. Allison F. Sullivan OT, DOT, OTR (Author) American International College
    Allison Sullivan, OT, DOT, OTR is a Professor at American International College in Springfield, MA. Dr. Sullivan serves as lead faculty for AIC's Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Her research interests include pedagogy in occupational therapy education, cognitive disabilities, and trauma-informed care.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.511
Abstract
The purpose of this survey was to explore the uniformity of current life skill programs by identifying how individuals are provided instruction in the daily living skills needed to complete routine life functions, through categorizing common curriculum themes and standard program formats. Methods: Special education professionals (N=100) working with adolescents with cognitive disabilities completed descriptive online questionnaire surveys. Results: The survey identified a lack of understanding of state requirements for life skill programming and the criteria that defines a life skill program. While some programs used a curriculum, the majority did not. Additionally, pre-test assessments were not used to gather baseline data. Conclusion: Life skill programs vary widely in scope and structure. Life skill programming needs to become more standardized, with the use of baseline assessments to measure progress and program effectiveness. Future research is needed to determine best practice approaches to life skills programming.
Keywords
Administrators, Allied Health Personnel, Daily Living Skills, High School Students, High School Teachers, Intellectual Disability
References

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There are 21 references in total.
How to Cite
Hegarty Follis, K., Helfrich, C., & Sullivan, A. (2023). Life Skill Programs: An Exploratory Survey of School Based Programming in the Public High School Setting. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 18(1), 61-71. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.511

Winter 2023

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  • Article Type Articles
  • Submitted January 12, 2023
  • Published February 15, 2023
  • Issue Winter 2023
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