Functional Academics

Functional academics are academics designed to teach functional skills to help clients in real-life situations at home, program, work, and out in the community.

Concepts at home (life skills) include:

• kitchen safety (cutting, hot elements, cleanliness, etc.)

• washing and drying dishes

• putting away kitchen items

• sorting

• folding clothes (shirts, pants, and socks)

• vacuuming

• wiping and setting the table

Concepts at program (functional academics) includes:

• Language: prepositions (in, on, under), vowels, plurals, sight words, communication (i.e. ASL), etc.

• Math: time, money, basic addition & subtraction, etc.

• Reading: independent, group, & in partners, etc.

• Writing: typing skills, matching, basic grammar, sentence building, etc.

• Social Studies: All About Me, Canada, Community Helpers, My Culture, Our Community, etc.

• Science: The Human Body, The Solar System, etc.

• Leisure: puzzles, word searches, file folder activities, computer games, etc.

Concepts in the community (safety) include:

• crosswalks & street lights

• emergency responses & police officers

• accident prevention & road safety

• relaxation & yoga (self-regulation: daily practice)

• breathing exercises

• communication (eye-contact, visual cues, sign language/gestures, etc.)

• social etiquette (at restaurants, stores, walking, etc.)