ADL skills
ADL skills
ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) refer to the essential self-care tasks that children perform to maintain their well-being and independence.
For children with developmental delays, disabilities, or injuries, therapy may focus on enhancing their ability to perform ADLs through specialized techniques, tools, and adaptive strategies, ultimately promoting greater independence and improving their overall quality of life. At The Speech Clinic, we are training the children to become independent in their ADL skills and will be focusing on the following areas
Basic ADLs ( BADLs) typically include:
- Bathing and Showering: Cleaning oneself to maintain hygiene.
- Personal Hygiene and Grooming: Tasks such as brushing and styling hair.
- Dressing: Selecting and putting on appropriate clothing.
- Toilet Hygiene: Using the restroom and cleaning oneself afterward.
- Functional Mobility: Moving from one place to another, including walking and transferring between positions like sitting and standing.
- Self-Feeding: Eating food and drinks independently.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), which are more complex tasks that support independent living in a community setting. IADLs include:
- Managing Finances
- Handling Transportation: Navigating public transit.
- Preparing Meals
- Shopping for Groceries and Other Necessities
- Performing Housework and Basic Home Maintenance
- Managing Medications
- Using Communication Devices: Like telephones.
Mastery of both BADLs and IADLs is essential for maintaining autonomy and quality of life. Our OT's will evaluate these skills to identify areas where individuals may need assistance or support, aiming to promote independence and well-being.