Employment Skills Training for Disabled Teens

As a parent, you’re constantly seeking ways to improve the life of your neurodivergent child. When it comes to preparing your kid for the workforce, employment skills training is essential. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of employment skills training for disabled teens and provide practical tips and resources to help your child build a strong foundation for their future career. From communication and problem-solving to time management and teamwork, we’ll cover the essential skills your child needs to thrive in the workplace. Plus, we’ll discuss how Goally can support your child’s journey toward independence.

Why Employment Skills Training Matters

Employment skills training is crucial for all teenagers, but it’s essential for kids with thinking and learning differences. Developing these skills can help your child feel more confident and capable in the workplace, improving their independence and making them more attractive to employers. Moreover, mastering these skills can set your child up for a fulfilling and successful career.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the critical benefits of employment skills training for disabled teens:

• Boosts confidence: As your child develops employment skills, they’ll feel more self-assured and prepared for the challenges of the workplace.
• Improves independence: Learning essential job skills enables your child to become more self-sufficient and less reliant on support from others.
• Enhances employability: Employers value candidates with strong employment skills, giving your child a competitive edge in the job market.
• Supports long-term success: With a solid foundation of employment skills, your child is better equipped for a rewarding and lasting career.

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Goally’s Kid’s Tablet has one of the largest libraries of skill-building videos (like “How to Share” and “What To Do When You’re Lost”) in the Goal Mine app.👇

Key Employment Skills for Disabled Teens

Now that we understand the importance of employment skills training let’s explore some of the most crucial skills your child should develop:

1. Communication

Effective communication is essential in any workplace. Your child should learn to express their thoughts and ideas clearly, listen actively, and respond appropriately. Non-verbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, are also important aspects of communication. Additionally, adapting their communication style to different situations and audiences is a valuable skill.

Here are some ways to help your child improve their communication skills:

• Practice active listening and responding in conversations
• Encourage your child to share their thoughts and feelings
• Role-play different workplace scenarios to practice adapting communication styles
• Use Goally’s visual schedules and reminders to help your child stay organized and communicate their needs effectively

2. Problem-solving

Problem-solving skills are invaluable in the workplace. Encourage your child to identify issues, think critically, and come up with potential solutions. Making decisions based on available information and learning from mistakes are also essential aspects of problem-solving.

Read more: How to Make a Chore Chart for Kids

To help your child develop their problem-solving skills, consider the following tips:

• Present your child with real-life scenarios and ask them to brainstorm solutions
• Encourage your child to ask questions and think critically about different situations
• Use Goally’s task analysis feature to break down complex tasks into manageable steps, helping your child understand the problem-solving process

3. Time Management

Time management is crucial for meeting deadlines and staying organized. Teach your child to prioritize tasks, allocate time effectively, and set realistic goals. Using tools like calendars, planners, and to-do lists can also help your child stay on track.

Here are some ways to support your child’s time management skills:

• Help your child create a daily schedule and prioritize tasks
• Encourage your child to break down goals into smaller, achievable steps
• Use Goally’s visual timer and task management features to help your child stay focused and organized

4. Teamwork

Working well with others is a vital employment skill. Help your child develop their teamwork abilities by collaborating on projects, being respectful and supportive of their peers, adapting to different personalities, and resolving conflicts constructively.

Read more: Benefits For Parents Caring for a Disabled Child

To foster your child’s teamwork skills, try these strategies:

• Involve your child in group activities, such as sports or clubs
• Encourage your child to share ideas and listen to others’ perspectives
• Role-play different teamwork scenarios to practice collaboration and conflict resolution

Resources for Employment Skills Training

There are many resources available to help your child develop their employment skills. Some options include transition programs, vocational rehabilitation services, online courses, and community organizations. Local non-profits and disability advocacy groups may offer workshops, classes, or support groups focused on employment skills training.

Resource	Description
Transition programs	Many schools offer transition programs for disabled teens, focusing on building employment skills and preparing for life after high school.
Vocational rehabilitation services	State-run vocational rehabilitation agencies provide employment support, including skills training, job placement, and career counseling.
Online courses	Websites like Coursera and Udemy offer courses on various employment skills, including communication, time management, and problem-solving.
Community organizations	Local non-profits and disability advocacy groups may offer workshops, classes, or support groups focused on employment skills training.

Supporting Your Child’s Employment Skills Development

As a parent, you play a crucial role in helping your child develop their employment skills. Encourage open communication, provide opportunities for problem-solving, help your child set goals, and model effective time management. Involving your child in group activities can also build their teamwork abilities.

Remember, Goally can be a valuable tool in supporting your child’s employment skills development. With features like visual schedules, task analysis, and timers, Goally can help your child stay organized, focused, and confident as they work towards independence in the workplace.

In summary, employment skills training is essential for disabled teens to build a strong foundation for their future careers. By focusing on key skills like communication, problem-solving, time management, and teamwork, you can help your child become more confident, independent, and employable. Utilize available resources and provide ongoing support to ensure your child’s long-term success in the workforce. With your guidance and the help of tools like Goally, your child can overcome challenges and thrive in their career journey.

This post was originally published on 05/15/2023. It was updated on 08/14/2023.