Adult Training Services are customized based on the participant’s personal interests and desires, goals for growth and independence, and level of personal care needs.
Using a team approach to promote success, each participant has an Individual Support Plan that outlines the person’s goals and objectives on which they work with staff daily. The participant’s quality of life is enhanced through socialization with their peers and staff, the opportunity to develop friendships and take part in recreational activities, learn new skills, and participate in a variety of community activities.
Individuals split their time participating in community activities and at either The John E. Walson Center in Bethlehem or The Kristi Hanawalt Life Skills Center in Allentown.
This service focuses on:
- Daily Living Activities – Staff help participants achieve independence and improve self-awareness by addressing areas including mobility, self-care, and community living skills.
- Community Exploration – Participants take part in a variety of social and recreational activities to learn and develop social skills. They learn how to use public transportation, manage money, and access community activities and events.
- Cooking and Nutrition – Via staff teach participants about food groups, menu planning, grocery shopping, meal preparation, and safe food handling skills. Participants help to plant and care for fresh herbs and vegetables that are grown on-site to use in healthy cooking activities.
- Physical Activity and Wellness – Participants engage in physical activities like taking walks and weekly group exercise sessions, and work on healthy living skills.
- Communication and Social Skills – Participants learn expressive communication skills through sign language, augmentative communication techniques, and spoken language. Social skills and appropriate interactions are taught through role-playing, instruction, and real-life experience.
- Sensory Regulation & Coping Skills – Sensory regulation skills are taught throughout the day on an as-needed basis with each participant. Staff will work with a participant and their team to identify the coping skills that will be most effective for the participant’s individual needs.
