Purpose of the AFLS system

It can be hard to keep up with all the acronyms used in education. But the AFLS system can help children learn the skills they need to gain independence at home, school, and in the community.

Examples of functional living skills include:

• Routines and expectations
• Organizational skills and personal management
• Grooming, bathing, dressing, and toileting
• Health, safety, and first-aid
• Meals, cooking, and housekeeping at home
• Social awareness, shopping, and meals in public
• Transportation
• Living with others

With AFLS, we can evaluate, track, and teach the functional skills a child needs to succeed in everyday life.

Why Life Skills Assessments Matter

Learning to do everyday tasks like cooking a meal, getting dressed or communicating clearly can make a big difference to people with autism. That’s why tools like the Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS) are so important. A 2022 study in Autism Research found that over 70% of teens with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) made significant gains in their daily living skills after going through structured programs that included assessments like the AFLS and VB-MAPP. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM) also says that early interventions focusing on communication, social skills and everyday functioning lead to better long-term outcomes.

These results show that AFLS isn’t just for young children, but it’s also a valuable tool for people of all ages learning to live more independently.

How the AFLS system works

The AFLS system can help people of all ages, whether they’re age 2 or well into adulthood. This criterion-based system can evaluate hundreds of functional skills across six individual assessment protocols, including:

• Basic living skills
• Home skills
• Community participation skills
• School skills
• Independent living skills
• Vocational skills

We can use each of these assessment protocols on their own, but they’re also connected by unifying themes and overarching goals. As a result, we can take our findings from each individual assessment and create an overall strategy that maximizes your child’s learning opportunities, independence, and freedom.

Benefits of the AFLS system

This approach comes with one goal: To help children and others with behavioral and developmental disorders gain the skills and confidence needed to live functional lives. That’s because the AFLS system provides a foundation for developing curriculum or treatment strategies in the most important areas of an individual’s life, from home to school to the community and beyond.

Unlike other systems, the AFLS system meets each child at their skill level. It also works by engaging and guiding them across all environments, regardless of the skills they possess. The AFLS system offers numerous advantages for learners, including:

• Being easy to understand and simple to use, anytime and anywhere
• Supporting and enhancing any curriculum
• Offering affordable and customizable tools and programs

This distinctive approach offers endless opportunities for children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities to become active members in their communities.

Supporting Your Child’s Emotional and Mental Health Through AFLS

AFLS is great for helping children learn practical everyday skills. But the benefits go beyond just brushing their teeth or preparing meals. Learning these skills can have a big impact on a child’s emotional and mental well-being. When children become more capable and independen,t they often feel more confident and less anxious.

As children master manageable tasks like grooming, organizing their day, or preparing a snack, they start to feel in control of their environment. This sense of control can lead to better emotional regulation and more positive social interactions. Research in the International Journal of Developmental Disabilities shows there is a clear link between functional independence and better emotional health.

AFLS is designed to help children grow one step at a time. As they become more confident, they are better equipped to handle challenges, adapt to change and express themselves more clearly.

AFLS supports more than just functional growth. It also nurtures the whole child by building skills and self-belief.

Making the Most of Your Child’s AFLS Results

After the AFLS assessment, you get a detailed report of your child’s strengths and areas for support. However, the real power of AFLS lies in using that information to make changes. Here’s how you can turn the results into action.

1. Create a Personalized Action Plan

Use the results to create a plan tailored to your child’s unique needs. Focus on short-term and long-term goals with clear, achievable steps. For example, if your child struggles with time management or personal hygiene, include strategies to support gradual improvement in those areas.

2. Focus on Priority Skills

AFLS covers a lot of skills so it’s important to focus on the ones that matter most right now. Many families start with self-care, communication and safety skills. These are the foundations for greater independence and success in everyday life.

3. Apply Results to Therapy Sessions

Whether your child is working with a behavior therapist, speech therapist or occupational therapist, the AFLS results can guide their work. Use the data to create focused sessions that align with the goals from the assessment. This helps everyone work towards the same progress.

4. Monitor Progress Regularly

AFLS is not a one-off. It’s meant to be revisited. Check-in regularly to see how your child is going and where they might need extra support. Use follow-up assessments to track progress and fine-tune the plan based on what is or isn’t working.

5. Involve the Whole Support Team

Your child’s progress relies on support at home, in school and in therapy. Share the AFLS results with teachers, family members and other carers. This creates consistency, reinforces new skills and builds a shared understanding of your child’s goals.

6. Practice in Real Life

Learning a new skill in therapy is one thing. Using it in daily life is another. Encourage your child to use their skills at home, in public and at school. Practicing in real-life situations builds confidence and helps them apply what they’ve learned more naturally.

7. Adjust the Plan as Your Child Grows

As your child meets milestones, you can shift your focus to more complex tasks. AFLS can grow with your child, helping you prepare for new stages like changing schools, learning job skills or living more independently in the future.

Using the AFLS system is more than just ticking a box. It’s about creating a thoughtful, flexible and supportive plan that grows with your child. With the right approach and regular follow up,

AFLS can help your child build the skills they need to succeed at home, in school and in life.

Technological Enhancements to Support AFLS Goals

Recent technology advancements are changing how we teach and reinforce functional skills. Mobile apps, digital task analyses and smart devices now allow caregivers and therapists to support AFLS goals in real time. Tools like voice assistants and routine-management apps help children follow prompts and stay on track with independent tasks.

Plus, digital tracking software makes data collection and progress monitoring a breeze so professionals can adjust intervention strategies quickly. These tools make learning more personalized and make the AFLS system more effective in real life.

More Resources and Support Networks

Families looking to add to their toolkit beyond the AFLS system can look into these reputable resources for independent living and life skills:

• AFLS Official Site: Access to the full AFLS assessment library, training guides and implementation tools.
• Arizona Autism Coalition: Connects families to local services, events and therapy providers in the state.
• ABLE National Resource Center: Supports financial independence and planning for individuals with disabilities.

Staying connected to the support systems means families get practical tools and feel empowered throughout their child’s journey.

Take the First Step Toward Your Child’s Independence Today

To learn more about the Assessment of Functional Living Skills system, book an appointment online or over the phone with Scottsdale Pediatric Behavioral Services today. We’ll walk you through every step of the process, from initial assessments to customized plans for your child. Whether you need to address specific skill deficits or create a whole life plan, we’ve got the tools, resources and support for long-term success.

Contact us today to book your consultation and start unlocking your child’s full potential. We’ll help your child thrive at home, school and in the community.