Life Skills for the Disabled

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the literature regarding the success of life skill development curricula and highlights the controversial results of studies. The paper discusses how a key difficulty in research involving a disabled population is the ability to obtain a homogeneous sample population. The paper further discusses that each child with special needs is an individual and the dynamics of his various disabilities has an impact on the outcome of the study. According to the paper, until valid assessment techniques are developed that take into account the heterogeneous nature of the special needs population, it is unlikely that this problem will be resolved.

Outline:
Social Skills as Essential Life Skill Preparation
Heterogeneity and the Special Needs Population
Conclusion: What is Success?

From the Paper:

"Daily living skills such as how to prepare meals, manage a checking account, dress oneself, housekeeping tasks and skills such as these are something that most take for granted. However, for the special needs student, these skills might not come naturally. They need to be taught many of these daily skills in order to become a functional adult. Special needs students need formal training and special instruction to learn these essential living skills. Some states require life skills to be taught as a part of the student's formal educational curriculum. However, the success of these programs is controversial and there are those that claim these programs are a waste of time and money, as they do not prepare the special needs student for life beyond school."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bellini, S., Peters, J., Benner, L., & Hopf, A. (2007). A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Social kills Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Remedial and Special Education 28 (3), 153. Retrieved from Questia Database on April 20, 2008.
• Bouck, E. (2004). Exploring Secondary Special Education for Mild Mental Impairment: A rogram in Search of Its Place. Remedial and Special Education. 25 (6), 367. Retrieved from Questia Database on April 20, 2008.
• Coster, W. & Haltiwanger, J. (2004). Social-Behavioral Skills of Elementary Students with physical Disabilities Included in General Education Classrooms. Remedial and Special education. 25 (2), 95. Retrieved from Questia Database on April 20, 2008.
• Heron, T. Welsch, R. & Goddard, Y. (2003). Applications of Tutoring Systems in Specialized object Areas: An Analysis of Skills, Methodologies, and Results. Remedial and Special education. 24 (5), 288. Retrieved from Questia Database on April 20, 2008.
• Nevin, A., Malian, I., & Willimas, L. (2002). Perspectives on Self-Determination across the curriculum: Report of a Preservice Special Education Teacher Preparation Program. Remedial and Special Education. Volume: 23 (2), 75. Retrieved from Questia Database on April 20, 2008.

More papers on Life Skills for the Disabled:

• Term Paper # 144354 : "Secondary School Programs for the Learning Disabled"
• Research Paper # 142250 : "Autism Programs for Preschoolers"
• Term Paper # 98523 : "Developmental Disabilities"

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