Alex has made huge gains this past year in the Life Skills department. It all started when his teacher sent home a checklist and asked the kids to do things like set the table, take out the trash, or make their beds. He took to taking out the trash with gusto. It is one of the few things that when I ask him to do, he'll easily tear himself away from my laptop or a video game and go find his shoes and take the trash out. He also likes to do some laundry related tasks like folding towels and also matching socks.
I'm currently reading the book Autism Life Skills: From Communication and Safety to Self-Esteem and More - 10 Essential Abilities Every Child Needs and Deserves to Learn
by Chantal Sicile Kira and I highly recommend it to parents of kids on the autism spectrum. Especially as Alex gets older (he is approaching 10) I've become even more aware of all the things that he'll need to know how to do in order to live independently. It took him a long time to be able to get dressed independently (and he still often puts shirts and pants on backwards or picks clothing that is not seasonally appropriate) and to self initiate his bed time. We take things one day at a time here, but I can say quite confidently that I am very hopeful for him and the direction he is headed. Related post:
Learning Life Skills at School
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