Learning Independent Functional Everyday (LIFE) Skills Program

The LIFE Skills program is for:

  • Children and youth with special needs from age 6 and up
  • Adults with physical or learning challenges

Learning Independent Functional Everyday (LIFE) skills will enhance the abilities of individuals with special needs to function in their environment in three areas:
  • Domestic and family life
  • Personal social development
  • Job readiness

Renfrew’s LIFE Skills program offers step-by-step instruction in the following areas:

Self Care & Hygiene

  • Dressing
  • Dental care
  • Basic personal hygiene

Laundry Skills

  • Sorting laundry
  • Using a washer and dryer
  • Folding and hanging clothes

Domestic Skills

  • Setting and clearing tables
  • Tidying a kitchen
  • Washing dishes
  • Using a dishwasher
  • Sweeping/vacuuming
  • Dusting
  • Making a bed

Cooking

  • Kitchen safety
  • Following a recipe

Jobs Around the Home

  • Recycling
  • Collecting and taking out garbage

Telephone & Address Skills

  • Learning personal contact information
  • Emergency and safety contacts

Daily Routines

  • Getting ready for school or work
  • Morning and evening routines

Renfrew’s highly trained staff of Child Development Facilitators, Life Skills Facilitators and the Program Coordinator will ensure that each client will have a program specifically tailored to individual needs and developed in consultation with the client and family. Programs will be monitored to ensure that they meet the clients’ changing needs.

Programs may include on-site and in-home components and will be scheduled between 4:30pm and 6:00pm and on Saturdays with the numbers of hours per week and total number of sessions tailored to the individual’s needs.  One-on-one and group learning opportunities will be included as appropriate.

Fees apply and will be determined according to the program developed with each client.  Billing can be arranged according to a session-by-session, monthly or yearly agreement.


Goals of the LIFE Skills Program:

  • To improve independence in daily activities
  • To improve the ability to function as a contributing member of a family
  • To improve the ability to function as a member of the community
  • To increase self esteem    
  • To build foundation skills necessary for transition to future settings