The Life Skills is a special education placement that is assigned by the IEP Team in consideration of the student's cognitive, social skill, adaptive, and functional behavior abilities. The Life Skills program is taught by a Special Education Teacher often with the assistance of a paraprofessional.
The student in the Life Skills program will often work on functional academics and behaviors via entry points into the grade level content. Many students in the Life Skills program will work on an alternative MCAS portfolio which is measured throughout the year and presented to the parents prior to turning into DESE for review. Each student in the Life Skills program comes with a different entry point and teachers work hard to push them to build skills that will foster their growth of independent skills as they age.
The Learning Intensive Network for Kids (LINKS) is a district-wide program that supports students with Autism. The program promotes social and academic success with a focus on real-world situations, communication, and independence.
The program incorporates:
Visual systems. Every routine uses clear visual structures.
Routine based. Students learn through predictable, daily schedules.
Communication first. We integrate expressive and receptive language tools.
Independence-driven. We reduce prompts to build self-reliance.
Data backed. Instructors track progress to customize instruction.
Life Skills Supply list
· Lysol wipes
· Hand sanitizer
· Tissues
· Bathroom wipes (flushable)
· Pads/Sanitary Napkins
LINKS Supply list
· Pencils
· Crayons
· Glue sticks
· Scissors
· Markers
· 2-pocket folder
· Notebook
· Full change of clothes
· Pull Ups/Diapers (if required)
· Baby wipes
· Tissues
· Feminine Products
· Deodorant
· Toothpaste/Toothbrush
· Plastic grocery bags