March 2016

Monthly Topic: Ouch, That Hurts!

This unit lessons cover various aspects of dealing with injuries including activities in the Transition Passport: Daily Living/Safety. As we assist our young adults in the transition from school to work, it is necessary that they receive training in taking care of themselves and others at home and in the work place. Understanding basic first aid to use in minor injuries as well as knowing when a situation is an emergency are important skills.

The unit stories help young adults learn about situations that could result in injuries. The first story shows how quickly an emergency can arise. Two friends take a walk in the woods on a sunny day. When one of the friends is seriously injured after falling down a steep hill, her friend must act quickly to get help. Issues of what to say when a 911 call is needed and the importance of staying calm are addressed. The second story follows a young man as he experiences a series of minor accidents at home. The emphasis of this story is on what to do for a minor injury as well as prevention measures that should be taken. Three articles further define first aid procedures and how to create a first-aid kit.

Regular monthly lessons are provided with a focus on practical math and money skills. Banking and budgeting are addressed. Daily living skills involved in cooking, including shopping for ingredients and following a recipe are also part of a regular monthly lesson, offering five recipes. Social and communication skills are the focus of lessons presenting social trivia and everyday communication scenarios. How to compromise is the focus of this month's scenario.

Employment continues to be a regular focus for several lessons each month. Lessons include exploring different jobs, reading job ads, completing job applications and practicing interview skills. Simple, realistic scenarios address job skills and interactions at work. The final lesson highlights volunteering as a way to practice job skills and gain practical work experience. Job skills are emphasized as team members take on various tasks.