Expanding Possiblities
A common fear of parents is that their “adult child” will become more and more isolated once they no longer have a routine involving school attendance. They fear the sense of isolation and hopelessness for an, “adult child” will increase further without the interpersonal relationship that naturally occur in an educational setting with peers and familiar adults.
Our day program increases the capabilities of the next stage of life:
- Engage in development of life skills
- Enable integration in society
- Sense of belonging and/or independence
Our program stresses training in the activities of
- Living skills
- Social integration and Self-Advocacy
- Vocational and Supported Employment
On of the areas the program focuses on is critical thinking. A critical skill is defined as something we must do in life for ourselves and when we cannot, someone must do it for us. Critical skills are the most ordinary but hugely important daily living skills that we perform.
Social integration involves personal orientation and awareness to interact in an appropriate manner as an aspect of socialization; to communicate our needs and wants in a way recognized by others; to be able to act in an age appropriate manner to be able to cross a walkway, or enter a retail establishment or have a meal at a restaurant. It is very important to be an integrated part of one’s community.
A satisfying and purposeful job is a great achievement for everyone. A milestone for an individual with a developmental disability is not to pay a bill but rather to have a place to go to accomplish something and be part of a team, opportunities such as meeting new people and learning new skills, developing a sense of pride and becoming loyal employees who want to be a part of a community.
Adult Day Training
All our participants will have a program tailored specifically to their needs. Program participants will learn and apply activities of daily living that enhance their ability to manage their own self-care and live independently. Skills taught will be relevant to student's actual life and routine. Some of these activities include:
Food Preparation
Laundry
Cleaning
Grocery/Shopping
Personal hygiene
Grooming
Safety
Budgeting/Banking/Paying bills and more
*** An Occupational Therapist with extensive experience will be available for a more one on one session addressing fine motor skills and daily living skills. ***
Social integration is a way of describing the established patterns of human relations. This module assists with the improvement of social skills and quality of life. It will provide opportunities for people with disabilities to be integrated into their communities and improve their social skills. Some activities include:
Fitness
Decision making skills such as the proper use of attire for different occasions, determining when physical contact is appropriate and what type
Being able to make correct choices
Being able to express feelings and understanding others feelings
Social Etiquette
Social skills are closely linked with language and communication skills. Effective communication is very important.
A speech and language pathologist will be available for more one on one sessions and guidance.
Social skills are taught by "doing". They require repeated practice of proper social interaction in a step by step manner. An applied behavior analyst will be incorporated.
Many people with a developmental disability are able to work or develop a craft or hobby facilitating a micro business. A micro business is a very small one person operation most of the time staring from home.
In this program the client is assisted in choosing work that appeals to them. The key is to match the client's interests, skills and abilities with job requirements. They will learn the skills necessary to enter into the work force. Activities will include:
Develop work behavior
Develop a trade (after determining interests and skills)
Proper interaction with co-workers
Learn how to manage stress
Some of the opportunities currently available for our clients:
"Dirt Busters" - Cleaning baseball dugouts with blower
"Images" - Making and Creating t-shirts
"Creations" - Creating expressions through artwork, photography, painting and ceramics. Arranging exhibits to demonstrate and sell work created through this program.
This program creates an individual's plan for success to master the skills that are necessary for job functioning. The program demonstrates that these individuals do possess the potential to live and work in the community if they receive the appropriate proper training and education.
Program participants are adults' age 22 to 35 years old with a developmental disability. May have some form of the following condition or need:
Cerebral Palsy
Down Syndrome
Autism
Limited mobility/use of wheelchair
Mild to moderate maladaptive behaviors
Self-care deficits
Communication and Socialization deficits
Other types of medical conditions may be acceptable
This center is for individuals who want to maximize their opportunities in a place where an array of services will be provided in a community life. Villa Lyan is committed to the advancement of knowledge and community inclusion.
Currently the Agency of Persons with Disabilities under the Developmental Disability Waiver supports this type of program. If you are a recipient of this waiver you may contact your support coordinator.
This program is categorized as an Adult Training Program. It is a structured day time program designed to identify the needs of clients and to create plans to address those needs. We also offer Respite services, Behavioral Analysis, Supported Employment, Companion and Physical , Occupational and Speech and Language Therapies.
Villa Lyan, Inc. believes in advancing best practices in the community through partnerships and collaborations. Villa Lyan, Inc
. will be working together with FIU’s Embrace Program and Dr. Yolangel Hernandez Suarez (Embracing Comprehensive Health Care for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders). “The FIU Herbert Wertherim College of Medicine has created a comprehensive, integrated care model, FIU EMBRACE, to provide medical and behavioral health care to adults with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders, Our care philosophy is patient-focused, and recognizes that people with developmental disabilities deserve to be treated as individuals with personal patterns of talents and challenges. Our faculty and treatment team brings years of expertise in understanding and treating the specific needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders”
