Specialized Skill Development is used to address challenges participants may have because of limited social skills, perseverative behaviors, rigid thinking, difficulty interpreting cues in the natural environment, limited communication skills, impaired sensory systems, or other reasons. SSD uses specialized interventions to increase adaptive skills for greater independence, enhance community participation, increase self-sufficiency and replace or modify challenging behaviors.
The intent of SSD is also to reduce the need for direct personal assistance by improving the participant’s capacity to perform tasks independently. Supports focus on positive behavior strategies that incorporate a proactive understanding of behavior and skill-building, not aversive or punishment strategies. Services are based on individually-tailored plans developed by people with expertise in behavioral supports and independent living skills development.
Specialized Skill Development is used to address challenges participants may have because of limited social skills, perseverative behaviors, rigid thinking, difficulty interpreting cues in the natural environment, limited communication skills, impaired sensory systems, or other reasons. SSD uses specialized interventions to increase adaptive skills for greater independence, enhance community participation, increase self-sufficiency and replace or modify challenging behaviors.
The intent of SSD is also to reduce the need for direct personal assistance by improving the participant’s capacity to perform tasks independently. Supports focus on positive behavior strategies that incorporate a proactive understanding of behavior and skill-building, not aversive or punishment strategies. Services are based on individually-tailored plans developed by people with expertise in behavioral supports and independent living skills development.
Behavior Specialist Services (BSS)
Finding Meaning and Creating Balance
Behavior Support service (BS) is provided to; assess the function of behaviors that impede one’s ability to thrive in one’s environment; develop plans to modify those behaviors using key principles from Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavior Supports; and monitor implementation and effectiveness through regular consultation and data analysis.
Systematic Skill Building (SSB)
SSB uses evidence-based methods to help the participant acquire skills that promote independence and integration into the community, which are not behavioral in focus. While SSB develops a Skill Building Plan (SBP) based on the participant’s goals, the person providing SSB is not the primary implementer of that Plan. People who provide other support such as Community Support, Supported Employment, Day Habilitation, or Residential Habilitation are primarily responsible for the implementation of the SBP. Other people with regular contact with the participant – such as family, friends, neighbors, and employers – may also implement the SBP to ensure consistent application of the approach determined most effective for that participant’s skill acquisition. Aligning paid and natural supports in using the same SBP also promotes the generalization of skills across different environments, often a challenge for individuals with ASD. Possible skills include how to cook or use public transportation.
Home & Community Support (CS)
Through Community Support services, participants are assisted in acquiring, retaining, and improving communication, socialization, self-direction, self-help, and other adaptive skills necessary to reside and thrive in their communities. Community Support facilitates social interaction and promotes participation in education and volunteer activities.
“an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.”-
At HLS we believe in the ability of all people to choose their own happiness and we support them in their pursuit.
Balance
“mental and emotional steadiness; Stability.”
At HLS we believe a balanced life includes things that support all aspects of one’s physical, mental and emotional well-being; and we help our participants incorporate them into their everyday lives.
Independence
“free from outside control; not depending on another's authority.”-
At HLS we believe in the rights of individuals to exercise authority and control over their own lives, and we support out participants with increasing their skills to do so.
Community
“a social group whose members have something in common, such as a shared government, geographic location, culture, or heritage.”-
At HLS we believe in the value and importance of the connections to be made within communities and we assist individuals with making and maintaining them.
Harmonious Life Systems (HLS), is a social service agency providing life changing supports to adults with disabilities and mental health disorders.
