PAALS program

The Pediatric-Adolescent Acquisition of Life Skills (PAALS) program is the latest addition of services PTS is excited to provide for our families!  We created the PAALS program to meet the needs of adolescents and young adults seeking greater independence in and out of the home. PAALS focuses on providing instructional sessions for individuals ages 13-21 years old with special needs through family-based life skills training. Intervention will be tailored to the specific needs of each client.

• Self-management, basic communication, dressing, toileting, grooming, bathing, health/safety
• Morning and nighttime routines

•  Meals at home, dishes, clothing/laundry, housekeeping/chores, household mechanics, leisure, kitchen, and cooking
• Simple household maintenance 

• Basic mobility, community knowledge, shopping, meals in public, money management, time awareness, and social cues/manners
• Phone and internet use 
• Safety awareness

• Organizational skills, self-care, maintenance/cleaning, mechanics/repairs, community travel, transportation, kitchen tools/appliances, meal planning, food preparation, money management, independent shopping, personal management, safety, problem solving, social interactions, self-advocacy, living with others, and interpersonal relationships

Applicants for the PAALS program should be able to:

• Communicate wants/needs reliably (verbal speech not required)
• Follow 2-3 step command
• Express desire to live more independently or increase functional living skills
• Toilet independently
• Demonstrate active participation and an ability to attend to tasks
• Reading and comprehension at 2nd grade level

The PAALS program takes place in the office unit next door to our San Antonio PTS location. The space has been renovated to simulate a studio apartment equipped with essentials and equipment for an individual to learn the life skills needed for increased independence. The sessions run 8-10 weeks and are starting soon! If you are interested in registering your adolescent or young adult for the PAALS program, call or email us today!