What are functional skills? Please provide at least three examples of functional skills.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

“Functional” skills in the special education context refer to those skills related to non-academic areas, also called daily living skills.Functional skills are those skills that assist us in managing and living a better quality of life.These are the skills that help us achieve our dreams, live to our full potential, and exist as contributing members of our communities.Functional skills are those skills that you teach to the child that are intended to be practical, useful, or helpful in a variety of situations.They should be age appropriate skills relevant to the child and the people in his/her life.Functional skills are those skills that a student needs in order to live as independently as possible. Functional skills are usually very specific to the particular individual.Examples may vary, but may include the following:
• Getting along with all kinds of people, including those whose backgrounds and experiences are different from our own.
• Developing and maintaining friendships and meaningful relationships.
• Working collaboratively with others.
• Identifying, learning, and practicing interests and talents to make important decisions such as career choice and hobbies.
• Showing up on time and being prepared for whatever is required.
• Communicating thoughts, ideas, opinions, and feelings in ways that are clearly understood.
• Displaying socially appropriate behaviors.
• Following rules, routines, or schedules as necessary.
• Safety skills (i.e., crossing the street safely, stranger danger, bullying, swim safety, etc.).
• Basic living skills like feeding, toilet training, dressing, brushing teeth, tying shoes, personal hygiene, food preparation, laundry, shopping, ordering at a restaurant, making one’s bed, etc.
• Skills needed later in life, such as getting and keeping a job, using an ATM or credit card, managing a checking account, cooking, etc.