Life Skills

Meaningful progress does not happen by accident. For Benji and Giulietta, every goal begins with understanding who they are as individuals, what is important to them, what challenges they are experiencing, and what opportunities might help them continue to grow. Goal setting has never been about creating a list of skills to work on or checking boxes. It starts by looking at Benji and Giulietta's everyday lives. What would help them become more independent? What would make dai

Every decision that has been made for Benji and Giulietta has started with the same question: "What kind of life do Benji and Giulietta want to live?" Not what services are available. Not what program they fit into. Not what other people think they should be doing. What matters first is who Benji and Giulietta are as individuals. Although they share the same diagnosis of Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, they are very different people. They have different personalities, different int

What Benji and Giulietta needed was not another isolated service. They needed a way of thinking about life where communication, employment, recreation, education, life skills, social opportunities, and community participation all worked together instead of being separated into different programs and schedules. That shift changed everything. Instead of life being shaped around appointments and service calendars, the focus moved toward everyday life. Real environments, real rou

Giulietta was about eighteen months old when she first attended a neighbourhood program, accompanied by a nanny. At that age, she couldn’t communicate, walk independently, or participate in any activity without physical support and facilitation. Despite these constraints, Giulietta loved school. She loved desk activities that challenged her, puzzles, books, anything that engaged her mind. She especially loved circle time, particularly when there was music, which has always ca

In 2011 we heard about the STEPs program summer camp. It was a special needs camp and I wanted to explore it to find out if it would be a good fit for the kids. I suggested that I would shadow for a day and then decide. However, I was informed that the staff at the program were well versed in navigating the teaching of disabled children. Given that my kids were medically fragile, I wasn't comfortable sending them to a camp without ensuring that the setting would be suited for

Benji uses this ‘Need/Found’ picture card to indicate what he’s looking for or has found, helping him communicate independently. Each day starts with a small but meaningful routine for Benji. Before heading out, he takes time to gather everything he needs, from his backpack to the personal items that help him feel comfortable and prepared. This simple practice has become an important part of building his independence. With the support of picture cards, Benji is able to commun

Benji will develop independence in completing household tasks by using visual supports, such as picture cards, checklists, and step-by-step guides. These tools provide clear, consistent cues that help him understand each task, remember the steps involved, and complete them successfully. Building Independence Through Household Tasks Helping Benji develop independence starts with identifying the household tasks that matter most to him. By choosing chores he wants to work on, li

We place a strong emphasis on personal care for Benji and Giulietta, recognizing that these routines are an important part of their daily independence and overall well-being. While they may need support to complete certain tasks, we also encourage them to take an active role and develop the skills necessary to care for themselves. Our approach balances guidance with opportunities for independence, helping Benji and Giulietta build confidence and competence in everyday routine

Giulietta will independently use her iPad to identify and select appropriate clothing items from her closet. We place a strong value on daily living responsibilities, as they provide meaningful opportunities to build independence, confidence, and practical life skills. Everyday routines allow learning to happen in a natural and purposeful way. To start the day, Giulietta is in charge of choosing her outfit, starting with the top drawer to find socks, underwear, and a bra, the