Life Skills Training & Functional Skills Development

are provided to help participants become independent, positive and productive citizens of the community. All Apollo ADP training practices use the least restrictive environment, most age appropriate support methods and natural settings when assisting adults with skill development.

 
 

Kimmy building puzzles and sorting colors, sharpening fine motor skills one piece at a time!

Independent Living

This module provides training in self-care and household management skills, including personal hygiene, meal preparation, cleaning, laundry, and finance management. Key activities include:

  • Cooking and Baking: Held every Thursday at 10am.

  • Grocery Shopping: Scheduled Monday to Wednesday, covering recipe planning, budgeting, inventory, and task assignments.

  • Table Setting: Part of daily routines.

  • Housekeeping: Focuses on safe use of cleaning products and chemicals.

  • Fine Motor Skills: Training activities like using utensils, folding clothes, drawing, writing, tying shoes, dressing with fasteners, and building puzzles.

  • Routine Creation: Helps individuals establish and maintain personalized morning and afternoon routines with checklists for daily tasks

 

Nicolette practicing her handwriting and expressing her holiday wishes during our 'Letter to Santa' activity! It's not just about the festive fun—this activity is a great way to work on hand motor skills while exploring creativity and self-expression.

Communication Skills

Training focuses on developing verbal and non-verbal communication skills to help individuals express their needs, preferences, and emotions effectively, as well as to understand and respond to others in social interactions.

• Writing

• Reading

• Speaking

• Understanding and using the picture icons

• American Sign Language (ASL) Basics 18

• Creating your personalized picture icons and communication board

 

Quyhn practicing health and safety skills by washing her hands with care! Personal hygiene is an important step in staying healthy, and she’s mastering it with confidence.

Health & Safety Skills

Training in this module focuses on understanding personal safety practices, emergency procedures and recognizing and responding to health emergencies, managing medications, and maintaining personal well-being. The curriculum is adapted to meet the specific needs and abilities of our participants, incorporating visual aids, hands-on activities, and repetition to enhance learning and retention. Our person-centered training practices provide a supportive and inclusive learning environment where individuals feel valued and empowered to take control of their health and safety. This training covers essential health and safety topics, including:

Introduction to safety, personal hygiene, nutrition and healthy eating, physical health, medication management, safety in the home, safety in the community, social skills and boundaries, internet and technology safety, advocacy and self-advocacy, review and assessment, community resources, family and caregiver involvement, and continued learning and reinforcement.

Thuy proudly practicing self-advocacy as she makes her own purchases! Every step is a moment of growth and independence. It's amazing to see her confidently take charge and handle real-life situations.

Self Advocacy

Training in this module starts with learning and understanding the rights of the individuals that we serve at Apollo ADP. Instruction is given during the orientation or on the preferred schedule of the individual after admission to the program.

The Self-Advocacy Training Program at Apollo ADP is designed to empower our individuals by providing them with the skills and confidence needed to advocate for themselves. This program covers key areas such as understanding rights, effective communication, decision making, and navigating various systems.

Program Goals:

• Enhance self-awareness and self-esteem • Develop effective communication skills

• Foster decision-making and problem-solving abilities • Understand and exercise individual rights

• Build skills for personal and community advocacy

Sylvia demonstrating the core values of HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services) through her everyday choices! From accessing the community to choosing her own services and schedule, enjoying a meal of her choice at her favorite spot, she’s embracing her right to independence, respectful treatment, and having a voice in her own life.

Home And Community Based Services (HCBS) Introduction To Participants:

Participants are given introduction to the HCBS final rule to promote awareness and understanding of the person-centered practices at Apollo ADP and the same support they should receive at home. In this training curriculum, we discuss the following key areas during the orientation week:

1. Access to the community

2. Choice of setting

3. Right to be treated well

4. Independence

5. Choice of services and supports

  • During the orientation week or the 1st day of admission to the program, the participant is informed of the available services and activities through a person-centered services planner.

  • In this training module, individuals are given their own program planner to write their plans and choice of activities and use it to guide them daily, weekly or monthly. Individuals are also given a monthly calendar of special events that they can share with their family or care givers, at least a week before the month begins. Apollo ADP organize these events following the requests or suggestions from the Participant Council meetings.

  • Individuals are interviewed and families and care providers are surveyed to assist Apollo ADP staff to develop a one-page profile of the individual. This helps the support staff to understand what is important to and for the individuals and to better provide the services they choose for themselves.

  • Training focuses on teaching individuals how to initiate and maintain conversations, make friends, show empathy, develop healthy relationships, resolve conflicts and navigate social situations appropriately.

  • Training involves teaching practical math skills (e.g., telling time, counting money, measuring), reading and understanding written information (e.g., signs, labels), and basic literacy skills relevant to everyday life. Apollo ADP provides continuous professional development through staff training on personcentered practices, cultural competence, and effective communication strategies.