High school is a pivotal time for students; especially those with unique needs. It is the time we transition plan for students. Where will the student end up after high school? Some people are in the mindset that related services [like occupational therapy] should be faded out by this time. However, for many, developing functional fine motor skills is essential for achieving independence and success in the transitioning planning process. This goes for any student, regardless of where they plan to transition after high school.
Occupational therapists (OTs) play a critical role in this journey. In my opinion, OTs are particularly effective when collaboratively goal-setting within the students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). In this blog, we will discuss how OTs can help students build fine motor skills in the context of pre-vocational tasks, life skills, and activities of daily living (ADLs). And yes – you can [and should!] have goals for these!
The Importance of Collaborative Goal Setting
Collaboration is key when setting IEP goals. OTs should work closely with classroom teachers, job trainers, and other related service providers [like speech, physical therapy, etc.]. Then you can create goals that are holistic and relevant to students’ daily lives now and into the future. This approach ensures that goals are not only attainable, but also meaningful. The overall goal is enhancing the student’s engagement and motivation during the last few years of their schooling. SSE blogger, Kearstin, also has a great blog on 5 life skills goals to work on in high school! She discusses grocery shopping, hygiene, task completion, personal information practice, and placing an order! These are all goal areas that I have supported as the occupational therapist (OT) on my students’ team. Kate has a similar high school goal blog here!
Remember: These goal areas do not need to be OT-specific in order for you, as the related service provider, to support them. I love to co-monitor goals with the classroom teacher who is with the student each day!
(Pre) Vocational Skill Goals
As students transition into adulthood, vocational skills become increasingly important. OTs can collaborate with job trainers or classroom teachers to identify jobs that might be a good fit. Find what the child’s interests are and combine them with a job that plays on their strengths. This makes it a good fit! However, each required skill for the job likely need to be explicitly taught. Students may need help with the motor planning required for novel tasks. They may also need support in the sequencing/executive functioning demands of a job. OTs can be a great resource for this!
Completing Job Applications
Students may need to provide personal information in written form at some point in their future. While the classroom teacher may work on memorizing and spelling this information, OTs can collaboratively work on skills like typing and handwriting. The combination of skills and repetitive practice helps to ensure students can relay their information clearly and accurately. Simply Special Ed’s Personal Information Autofill PDF aids students in learning how to fill out personal information forms. This is crucial for job applications. Check out my blog on how to prep this resource here!
Daily Job Tasks
Engaging students in real-world job scenarios can help develop essential skills for future employment. Most of my students start with jobs around the school campus. Eventually, they all start venturing into the community for employment opportunities and practice. For instance, I have students who help to clean the cafeteria after lunches. Some of my students change the letter board sign in front of the school with announcements. Others shred, copy or laminate for teachers. OTs work directly with students on these jobs as they are being taught/learned. The OT often helps the team make modifications/accommodations as needed. If I’m not working on the specific job itself, I am often preparing for future employment opportunities. I like to integrate fine motor skill practice into tasks like sorting, organizing, and assembling items. Many of my students transition to a sheltered workshop setting where piece rate jobs are common.
Life Skill Goals
Daily and independent living skills are vital for independence. While many of my students may not live totally independently, gaining the skills necessary to have some autonomy in the home [with family or the group home setting] is often important to students and their families. OTs can help students develop these skills through targeted/individual and collaborative interventions. Check out the life skill bundle! It includes 28 digital adapted books on skills ranging from laundry to grocery shopping to ordering food, 20 digital file folders and 6 digital leveled comprehension slide decks!
Cooking Groups
Cooking in the classroom [especially in co-treatment sessions with my speech therapist] is one of my favorite ways to work on functional fine motor skills. Check out my blog on how to improve fine motor skills with visual recipes! Cooking not only requires fine motor skills for tasks like chopping and stirring. It also supports cognitive development like executive functioning [ex: sequencing] as well as safety awareness and other great skills. Utilizing resources like Simply Special’s Visual Recipes can provide structured, step-by-step instructions that facilitate learning and success.
Freebie!
The PB & J visual recipe is FREE [find it here!]. Test out these resources with the freebie to see how your students respond to the structure and visuals when cooking!
Cleaning Goals
Do you have kiddos who love to keep things tidy? Are they always making sure things are in the right place? Things are picked up off the floor? Use this strength! There are several custodial and cleaning/detailing jobs available for students. We have some such jobs within the school district. However, we have also helped students get employed at local businesses! Jobs like after hours cleaning or equipment cleaning at our local health clubs/gyms have been great opportunities. Beyond employment potential, daily cleaning tasks such as sweeping, dusting, and organizing can enhance both fine motor skills, executive functioning and independent living within one’s own home. I work on doing laundry, folding clothing, washing dishes, loading a dishwasher, setting the table, dusting, vacuuming, making beds, etc. The list goes on and on!
Take a classroom tour of this self-contained high school classroom with SSE blogger, Kearstin! Many of our high school self-contained classrooms have access to kitchens, laundry, etc. This is great for working on independent living skills! SSE blogger, Alex, also has a blog on her high school self-contained schedule. Check this out if you are interested to see what a “day in the life” might look like for our high school students. I bet you will be excited to see how many functional/daily living tasks are incorporated into the classroom for this age group!
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
ADLs are foundational for promoting independence. This is often an OT focus area in my school district. I have students with goals for hand washing, tooth brushing, using an electric razor, cutting nails, etc. This is great practice for students who may not be employed from an independence in self-care perspective. However, my students who are looking to be employed also need to have adequate hygiene to be considered as an employable applicant.
Grooming
Activities like tooth brushing, nail trimming, etc. require good fine motor control and sequencing skills. OTs can work with students to develop routines that build confidence and competence in these essential self-care tasks. Teaching effective hand washing techniques is essential for hygiene and overall health. I work on this skill with very young students. However, if I still have concerns with high schoolers, I always work on it right away! OTs and classroom teachers can use adapted book resources, such as the Hand Washing Adapted Book, to provide visual supports that guide students through the process until the steps are more automatic. Remember – the life skill bundle that includes 28 digital adapted books!
High School OT Goals
Overall, occupational therapy is a vital component of supporting high school students; specifically in developing functional fine motor skills. By collaborating with educators and focusing on practical, real-world tasks, OTs can help students thrive in pre-vocational skills, life skills, and daily living activities. Together, we can help move our students towards lifelong success by supporting in their transition to adulthood.
More SSE Resources
I also love the following resources for my high schoolers:
Simple Science Experiments: Engaging students in hands-on science activities can provide opportunities to practice fine motor skills in a fun and interactive way. These are similar to the visual recipes and visual crafts, but I find them to more engaging/age appropriate for my secondary students.
Life Skills Centers: These centers can be utilized to provide structured practice in a variety of life skills, reinforcing the fine motor abilities needed for daily living. Skills like matching socks, setting the table, brushing teeth, washing hands, string recycling, vacuuming, wrapping gifts, etc. are all included!
Transition Plan Surveys and Job Exploration Flyers: These resources can facilitate discussions around transition planning, ensuring that students are prepared for their future careers.
