Teaching Methods in Some Cases,

Teaching Methods In some cases, disability does complicate the independence of those affected. This is particularly the reason why the relevance of independent living cannot be overstated when it comes to the preparation of learners with special independent-living needs for community living. In this text, I highlight various issues such students may face during the transition. Further, I propose strategies the school may utilize to prepare learners to handle these issues.

Issues Faced During Transition According to Mahanay-Castro (2010), "there are vast challenges for students with disabilities to overcome in transitioning into adult living." Some of the issues students may face during the transition are highlighted below. Money management is one of the issues students with special independent living needs may encounter. In this case, they could experience challenges when it comes to budgeting, filing of tax returns as well as investing. These challenges could stand in the way of financial independence for those affected.

Secondly, another transition issue learners with special independent living needs could encounter has to do with home and family management. It is important to note that without certain skills such as safe handling of food and house maintenance, such students may not learn to be fully independent in the familial setting. Next, medication management is yet another transition issue learners with special independent living needs could encounter. To enhance their health and well-being, individuals in this case should have basic knowledge about medication management.

Challenges encountered in this case could include the kinds of medications to be ingested, the timing of the medications as well as when to consult a doctor. Fourth, during transition to community living, learners in this category could also experience self-care challenges. Issues in this case include but are not in any way limited to safe sexual practices, self-hygiene, how to have fun and approaches to relieve stress. Lastly, occupational challenges could also give learners with special independent living needs a hard time.

In this case, challenges could show up in the form of inadequate interpersonal skills, inability to handle job interviews as well as draft resumes and difficulties in utilizing libraries and other resources necessary in various professional undertakings. Preparing Students to Face these Issues: Proposed Strategies As Mahanay-Castro (2010) notes, "many factors influence the success of students leaving secondary school special education programs." In the author's opinion, rather than equipping such students with the necessary skills for life after school, educational processes instead mainly concern themselves with the students' academic concerns.

Some of the strategies schools may adopt so as to ensure students are well prepared for life after school are highlighted below. To begin with, schools can plan field trips for such students. These field trips should be designed in a way that allows students to understand more about an issue at hand. For instance, schools can organize a field trip to the bank so as to enable students learn how the banking system works.

Secondly, schools can use pretend play or role-play so as to ensure that students learn some relevant skills. For instance, as Browder & Spooner (2011) note, "other skills will require the use of a realistic home setting." Role-play basically involves acting out certain roles as if it were real life. Students can be prepared for home and family management skills in this way. Further, schools can also equip students to face the above challenges by linking them up with others already.