Functioning Skills

So, what exactly are functioning skills?

Take a bird’s eye view of your day so far. What have you done since getting out of bed? Brushed your teeth, Made and eaten a meal? Gotten dressed? Made the bed? Cleaned up the kitchen? Planned your day? All of these are functional tasks! They are the daily occupations and the way you spend your time. Occupational therapy practitioners work with people on all aspects of functional skills, and all of the daily occupations so that their clients can live productive and meaningful lives. Let’s dive into the functional occupations of kids: play, potty training, meals and feeding issues, self-dressing, shoe tying, typing, cutting with scissors, cooking, and so much more!

What are life skills?

ADLs (Activities of Daily Living)

Activities of Daily Living are the foundation of independence. These include tasks like dressing, bathing, feeding, and grooming, everyday routines that build confidence and body awareness. Supporting ADLs helps children learn sequencing, coordination, and self-reliance, setting the stage for future life skills.

Self-Care

Self-care is one aspect of life skills but this goes beyond basic hygiene. It includes recognizing personal needs, managing emotions, and making healthy choices. Building self-care routines encourages self-awareness and responsibility while promoting overall well-being and independence throughout the day.

Home Responsibilities

Another area of life skills are IADLs. This includes household tasks like cleaning up, doing laundry, or setting the table teach problem-solving, organization, and teamwork. These responsibilities help kids understand routines and expectations while strengthening fine and gross motor skills through real-life practice.

Community Participation

Community life skills involve engaging with others and navigating public spaces, from ordering food to using crosswalks safely. These experiences develop social communication, safety awareness, and confidence in interacting with the world around them.

Money Management

Learning to handle money, make purchases, and plan for needs introduces math in a meaningful, hands-on way. Money management also builds decision-making, delayed gratification, and responsibility. These are skills that carry into adulthood.

Time Management

Time management is essential for success at school, home, and beyond. Practicing time awareness through visual schedules, timers, or to-do lists helps children plan, prioritize, and follow through with daily routines more effectively.