The AFLS Assessment- Ypu Guide to building independece and life skills in dubai

1. The AFLS Assessment: Your Guide to Building Independence and Life Skills in Dubai

2. Dear Dubai Parent, At Small Steps Big Dreams, we know that every parent dreams of seeing their child live a life of full potential and independence. While assessments like the VB-MAPP focus on the foundational building blocks of communication, the next, equally vital step is ensuring those skills translate into practical, day-to-day abilities. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to the Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS). It is a roadmap to fostering true independence, covering everything from basic self-care to navigating the community and preparing for adult life. This guide is designed to empower you with the knowledge to partner with your child’s therapy team, especially as they grow older and prepare for academic and social transitions within Dubai's education system. Warm regards, The Small Steps Big Dreams Team www.smallstepsbd.ae

3. Beyond Early Intervention: Why Functional Skills are the Next Frontier Parents often focus intensely on early intervention, which correctly prioritizes getting a diagnosis and establishing foundational skills like talking and simple social engagement. However, as children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental delays transition out of toddlerhood and into school-age years, the goals must evolve.  Early Intervention (VB-MAPP focus): The primary goal is to close the gap in developmental milestones (e.g., "Manding for 10 different items," "Tacting 50 pictures"). These skills are prerequisites for learning.  Life Skills Training (AFLS focus): The primary goal is independence and safety (e.g., "Using money to buy groceries," "Following a home cleaning schedule," "Using a washing machine"). These skills are required for living. The AFLS provides the essential bridge, ensuring that the communication and learning skills acquired in early intervention are put to practical, functional use in the real world. Defining Functional Living Skills (FLS) for Parents A Functional Living Skill is any skill necessary for an individual to live as safely and independently as possible within their home, school, and community. They are the activities of daily living (ADLs) that typical children learn through observation and minimal instruction, but which children with SEN often need to be taught systematically. Skill Type What it Looks Like in Daily Life Why it's Functional Getting dressed in the morning, showering, brushing hair. Directly impacts health, hygiene, and social acceptance. Self-Care Preparing a simple snack, washing dishes, doing laundry. Necessary for maintaining a household and future independent living. Domestic Community Crossing the road safely, paying for an item, ordering at a restaurant. Essential for safety, social participation, and accessing resources in Dubai.

4. What is the AFLS Assessment? The Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS) is a comprehensive tool used to evaluate a child's, teenager's, or adult's ability to perform essential life skills needed for independence across a variety of settings. Unlike assessments that focus on early communication milestones (like the VB-MAPP), the AFLS focuses on practical, real-world skills—the things a person needs to do for themselves every day. It operates on the principle that true independence is built skill by skill, allowing parents and clinicians to identify specific deficits and create focused programs to teach those skills. Why the AFLS Matters to Dubai Families As children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) grow, the focus of therapy must shift from foundational language to maximizing self-sufficiency. The AFLS is globally recognized and highly respected by institutions, including the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and schools with robust Inclusion Support programs. Using the AFLS provides:  A Universal Language: It creates common ground for discussion between therapists, parents, and school educators regarding a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals.  A Focus on Practical Outcomes: It ensures that valuable therapy time is spent teaching skills that will directly impact the individual's quality of life and future independence.  Preparation for Transition: It is the essential tool for preparing older students for transitions out of the family home, into vocational training, or into supportive living situations—a critical need for adult transition planning in the UAE. Decoding the AFLS: A Framework for Independence The AFLS is not a single test but a dynamic, criterion-referenced system comprising six interconnected protocols (manuals). While a child may not be assessed using all of them immediately, their structure provides a complete framework for independence that can be used across the lifespan. The six protocols cover approximately 2,300 skills categorized into practical living areas: 1. Basic Living Skills (BLS) This protocol is foundational and often the first step after or alongside early language intervention. It focuses on the core skills necessary for basic personal care and maintaining a living space.  Self-Management: Basic skills like following a schedule, managing a simple weekly calendar, and using a timer.  Grooming and Hygiene: Skills like brushing teeth, washing hands without prompting, shaving, and nail care.  Dressing: Skills like selecting appropriate clothes, buttoning, zipping, and tying shoes.

5. 2. Home Skills (HS) This protocol covers the practical maintenance of a home environment, essential for later independent or supported living.  Kitchen & Meal Preparation: Skills like operating appliances (microwave, kettle), preparing simple snacks, and storing food safely.  Cleaning: Skills like vacuuming, dusting, doing laundry (sorting, operating a washing machine), and managing household waste.  Safety & First Aid: Knowing how to respond to common household emergencies, basic first aid, and locating important items like a first aid kit. 3. Community Participation Skills (CPS) This is a high-priority area for Dubai parents, as it relates to successfully interacting with the diverse environment of the city. These skills are vital for personal security and enjoying the community.  Shopping: Skills like creating a shopping list, locating items in a store, managing money, and using a payment card.  Money Management: Identifying coins and bills, making correct change, budgeting for a purchase, and using an ATM.  Public Transportation & Travel: Reading a bus or Metro schedule, purchasing a ticket, and navigating safely as a pedestrian. 4.School Skills (SS) While other assessments cover academic skills, the AFLS School Skills protocol focuses on the functional behaviors needed to succeed in a school or instructional environment.  Classroom Dynamics: Skills like raising a hand, asking for help appropriately, transitioning between activities, and following group instructions.  Organization: Managing a backpack, maintaining a school locker, and organizing assignments.  Technology: Using a tablet or laptop for schoolwork, printing, and email etiquette. 5. Vocational Skills (VS) For teenagers and young adults, this protocol is key to preparing for employment. It assesses the prerequisite skills for holding a job.  Job Seeking: Skills like identifying interests, filling out job applications, and participating in mock interviews.  Job Performance: Following instructions from a supervisor, working independently, managing a work schedule, and working collaboratively with peers.  Professionalism: Understanding work ethics, managing time (punctuality), and appropriate communication with colleagues.

6. 6. Independent Living Skills (ILS) This is the most advanced protocol, synthesizing skills from all other areas and focusing on the complex abilities needed for full self-sufficiency in adulthood.  Health and Fitness: Scheduling and attending medical appointments, communicating symptoms to a doctor, and following a fitness routine.  Self-Care & Leisure: Managing recreational time, participating in hobbies, and scheduling personal appointments.  Legal & Finance: Basic understanding of tenancy agreements, paying bills on time, and managing complex banking activities. How is the AFLS Assessment Conducted? The AFLS assessment is highly flexible and designed to capture skills as they are used in the natural environment. The assessor, typically a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or other qualified professional, uses a blend of three methods to evaluate skills: 1. Direct Observation (O) The clinician observes the individual performing a skill in their typical environment (e.g., at home, in the clinic kitchen, or on a community outing). This is preferred for functional skills like doing laundry or preparing a snack. 2. Interview and Report (R) The assessor relies on information provided by parents, caregivers, and teachers who have observed the skill in practice across different contexts. This is often used for less frequently occurring skills, like responding to a fire alarm or following safety procedures. 3. Direct Testing (T) The assessor may ask the individual to perform a specific task on the spot, particularly for discrete skills like counting money or demonstrating how to tie a knot.

7. The AFLS Assessment Journey: Focus on Independence The assessment is typically divided into several sessions over a few days to avoid fatigue, particularly when covering multiple protocols. The result is a highly detailed, visual profile of mastered and emerging skills. For a parent, the resulting profile is like a visual, prioritized checklist. If a five-year-old struggles to put on their shoes (Basic Living Skills), or a 15-year-old cannot correctly identify all the ingredients for a simple recipe (Home Skills), the AFLS clearly pinpoints that exact step. Integrating the AFLS with Therapy and Education in Dubai The AFLS is the key to creating meaningful, functional outcomes that resonate with the educational and social frameworks in the UAE. 1. Crafting Data-Driven IEP Goals Dubai's Inclusive Education Policy mandates that all private schools provide support via the Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The AFLS directly informs this document by:  Providing Specificity: Instead of a vague goal like "improve independence," the AFLS allows for a goal like, "The student will independently prepare a three-step meal (e.g., sandwich, side, drink) and clean up their space with $90\%$ accuracy."  Ensuring Relevance: The focus on skills from the School Skills and Community Participation Protocols ensures that IEP goals are immediately applicable to the student’s daily life in school and within the community. 2. Transition Planning for Older Students For teenagers and young adults, the Vocational Skills and Independent Living Skills protocols become essential for transition planning. In Dubai, planning for life after school requires the individual to have concrete life skills. The AFLS helps determine the level of support needed for tasks like:  Managing personal finances and using banking services.  Navigating public transport to and from a training or work site.  Understanding and maintaining personal health and safety. This proactive approach significantly enhances the individual's prospects for meaningful employment and community inclusion.

8. AFLS vs. VB-MAPP: Which Tool is Right? Parents often ask which assessment is better. The reality is they serve different, complementary purposes. Assessment Primary Focus Typical Age/Skill Level When is it Recommended? VB-MAPP Foundational communication, social, and learning skills based on Verbal Behavior (Skinner). Skills up to a 48-month developmental level. Early Intervention (ages 2-7) to establish the building blocks for all learning. AFLS Functional Life Skills needed for daily independence and self-sufficiency. Across the Lifespan (children, teenagers, and adults) who need independence skills. When a child has some communication but lacks practical skills for home, school, or community. It is common for children in an ABA program to start with the VB-MAPP to build core communication and then transition to the AFLS to ensure those communication skills are functionally applied to daily routines and independence goals as they grow older. Frequently Asked Questions for Dubai Parents How long does a full AFLS assessment take? The time varies widely based on the number of protocols being assessed and the individual's skill level. Typically, a focus on 2-3 protocols (e.g., Basic Living and Home Skills) can take several hours spread over multiple short, practical sessions. The goal is to observe skills naturally, not cause stress or fatigue. Can the AFLS be used for my child who is 18 years old? Absolutely. The AFLS is designed to be used across the lifespan. The Vocational and Independent Living Skills protocols are specifically structured to address the complex needs of teenagers and adults preparing for life after secondary education. How often should my child be reassessed using the AFLS? Regular reassessment, typically every 6 to 12 months, is crucial. This is how the therapy team and parents track progress, celebrate achievements (e.g., mastering the ability to cook a simple meal), and adjust the IEP to target the next critical skill needed for greater independence.

9. Is the AFLS assessment covered by our insurance plan in Dubai? As with all developmental services in the UAE, coverage depends entirely on your specific insurance policy. Many policies operate on a reimbursement basis. Crucial Steps: 1.Contact your insurer and ask specifically if "Functional Living Skills Assessment" or "Developmental Assessment for Autism" is covered. 2.Request a detailed invoice and professional report from your clinic to submit for reimbursement. Your Next Step: Empowering Self-Sufficiency The Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS)is a positive, proactive investment in your child’s future. It provides clarity, direction, and a concrete, measurable plan to achieve self-sufficiency, giving you peace of mind that their therapy is focused on the most critical skills for a successful, independent life in Dubai. If you are ready to focus on building practical independence and preparing your child for a successful transition into adulthood, we are here to help. Book a free tour or no-pressure consultation with the Small Steps Big Dreams team today. About Small Steps Big Dreams ●CDA-licensed, internationally recognized clinical team ●Bilingual and multicultural child development team ●Specialists trained in Behavior Analysis, Verbal Behavior, Natural Environment Teaching ●Parent-first approach: every family is a partner, not just a client ●Convenient locations in Dubai; modern, school-based spaces ●Book a free tour or no-pressure consultation: www.smallstepsbd.ae |+971 55 610 6471/ info@smallstepsbd.com