Adaptive Behavior, Life Skills, and Leisure Skills Training for Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Life, leisure, and other adaptive behavior skills comprise the wide variety of abilities necessary for taking responsibility for and independently managing one’s own life. Adaptive skills encompass the entire range of abilities necessary to complete virtually all activities that people engage in and comprise the broad set of skills necessary to live independently (e.g., self-help, social, leisure skills) (Flynn and Healy. Res Autism Spectr Disord 6, 431–441, 2012). Maintaining health and hygiene, engaging in recreational activities, obtaining and maintaining one’s job and place of residence, displaying the social and communication skills necessary for obtaining employment and maintaining relationships, managing money, and maintaining a household are all examples of the wide range of adaptive skills (Dawson, Matson, & Cherry, 1998).