Core Skills Analysis
Life Skills and Personal Development
During a session with a support worker, Olivia worked on developing life skills. The activity supported Olivia in building practical capabilities for everyday life and growing her independence. Through taking part in the session, Olivia had an opportunity to practise skills with support. This learning highlighted how life skills can be developed through guided, purposeful activities.
Civics and Community Engagement
Olivia took part in a support-worker session focused on community engagement. The activity helped Olivia explore participation in community life and understand that engaging with others and local settings is a meaningful life skill. Olivia’s involvement connected personal development with taking part in the wider community. This provided a practical foundation for learning about belonging and participation.
Tips
Build on Olivia’s learning by choosing a familiar community setting and planning a visit together, inviting Olivia to help decide the destination and identify the steps involved. Afterward, create a simple visual reflection—such as a map, sketch, or sequence of photos—to recall the experience and discuss what made participation comfortable and meaningful. Practise one everyday life skill through a shared, real-world task, then encourage Olivia to explain the steps in their own words. Over time, let Olivia take an increasing role in planning and carrying out these activities, celebrating effort and growing confidence.Book Recommendations
- The Social Skills Picture Book: Teaching Play, Emotion, and Communication to Children with Autism by Jed Baker: Illustrated examples offer discussion starters about communication and social participation.
Try This Next
- Create a step-by-step checklist Olivia can use to plan a community outing.
- Draw a simple map of a familiar community place and mark key locations.
- Make a reflection prompt card: “What did I choose, practise, or enjoy today?”