Top 10 Life Skills Every Child with Autism Should Learn at Home

At The Nest, we understand that every child’s journey is unique - but one thing all children benefit from is learning life skills that foster independence, confidence, and daily success. For children with autism, practicing these skills at home can make a big impact on their long-term development and quality of life.

Whether your child is just beginning to explore independence or is working toward more advanced tasks, here are 10 foundational life skills we believe every child with autism can begin learning—step by step, at home.

Personal Hygiene

Why it matters: Builds independence and promotes health and self-confidence.

Start with:

• Brushing teeth

• Washing hands

• Bathing or showering

• Hair brushing

Nest Tips: Use visual schedules, songs, or a mirror to model. Practice in short, manageable steps.

Dressing & Undressing

Why it matters: Encourages autonomy and choice-making.

Start with:

• Pulling on pants or socks

• Zipping jackets

• Choosing weather-appropriate clothing

Nest Tips: Lay clothes out in order. Use clothing with easy fasteners. Offer limited, clear choices.

Mealtime Skills

Why it matters: Builds participation and fine motor coordination.

Start with:

• Using utensils

• Pouring water

• Cleaning up dishes

Nest Tips: Turn mealtime into a predictable routine. Practice skills through modeling and praise.

Household Chores

Why it matters: Promotes responsibility and belonging within the family.

Start with:

• Wiping the table

• Sorting laundry

• Feeding pets

Nest Tips: Use task strips or chore charts. Celebrate each effort, not just completion.

Making the Bed & Tidying Up

Why it matters: Develops daily routines and pride in personal space.

Start with:

• Pulling covers up

• Putting toys in bins

• Folding small towels

Nest Tips: Make it part of a morning routine. Pair with music or countdown timers.

Understanding Clean vs. Dirty

Why it matters: Helps with hygiene, laundry, and food safety.

Start with:

• Identifying dirty vs. clean clothes

• Recognizing spoiled vs. fresh food

• Washing hands after dirty tasks

Nest Tips: Use real-life examples, visuals, and simple rules (e.g., “If it smells bad, it’s dirty”).

Following Simple Instructions

Why it matters: Builds listening, task completion, and future job-readiness.

Start with:

• “Put your shoes by the door”

• “Throw this in the garbage”

• “Get your backpack”

Nest Tips: Start with one-step instructions. Use clear, consistent phrasing and provide prompts as needed.

Understanding Routines & Schedules

Why it matters: Reduces anxiety and improves transitions.

Start with:

• Morning and bedtime routines

• Visual schedules for the day

• Timers or countdowns

Nest Tips: Use a visual schedule board or app. Provide warnings before changes (“In 5 minutes we’ll…”).

Asking for Help

Why it matters: Builds communication, safety, and emotional regulation.

Start with:

• Teaching to say or sign “Help, please”

• Modelling how to ask for support

• Reinforcing help-seeking behaviour

Nest Tips: Use role-play or social stories. Reinforce every attempt to ask for help appropriately.

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Basic Money & Shopping Skills

Why it matters: Prepares for community independence and real-world interactions.

Start with:

• Identifying coins and bills

• Practicing turn-taking at a checkout

• Making a small purchase with support

Nest Tips: Create pretend shopping games at home. Use trips to the store as teachable moments.

How We Help at The Nest

At The Nest Family Behaviour Support Services, we design individualized ABA programs that help children and teens learn these skills—and more—at their own pace. Through in-home and in-community sessions, we break each skill down into manageable, meaningful steps, using visuals, reinforcement, and real-world practice.

We also offer parent coaching, so caregivers can feel confident supporting these skills between sessions.

Final Thoughts

Every life skill learned is a step toward independence, and every step matters. Whether your child is learning to tie their shoes, brush their hair, or pour their own drink, the goal is progress—not perfection. Need help creating a personalized life skills plan for your child? Reach out today—we’re here to support your family every step of the way.