SHILO: New program provides life skills for students with special needs

Students from Gatchell School are gaining important life skills thanks to a new program that was launched this school year. Sudbury Developmental Services, the Sudbury Regional Hospital Children’s Treatment Centre and Rainbow District School Board have formed a partnership to provide Simulated Healthy Independent Living Opportunities (SHILO) for students. Young people with developmental challenges are preparing for the transition to independent living as part of their regular school day.

Gatchell students participate in the SHILO program at Sudbury Developmental Services, 245 Mountain Street in Sudbury, from Monday to Thursday of each week. Accompanied by a teacher and Educational Assistant, the students participate in activities that foster functional independence while increasing self-esteem and confidence. They shop for groceries, prepare meals, and do daily chores, such as laundry.

As part of the partnership, Sudbury Developmental Services provides the facility for the training as well as a Developmental Support Worker and accommodations for an overnight stay to practice independent living skills. The Children’s Treatment Centre offers the services of an Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist.

“Ongoing assessment, care and education is being provided through a multi-disciplinary team approach,” says Superintendent Norm Blaseg who is responsible for special education in Rainbow Schools. “The entire team meets regularly to discuss and assess student progress in reaching individual program goals.”

“The Supported Healthy Independent Living Opportunities program is a brilliant, creative and pragmatic method of providing training and support for students,” says Mila Wong, Executive Director of Sudbury Developmental Services. “The program includes many community integration activities to enable students to achieve maximum capacity for caring for themselves in the future.”

“This program is designed to promote an active lifestyle, community participation and functional independence in activities of daily living,” says Sally Spence, Clinical Manager, Children’s Treatment Centre. “In a simulated apartment-type setting, a small group of youth with developmental disabilities will learn and practice life skills, enjoy community excursions that promote independence, and engage in general fitness activities to promote a healthy lifestyle.”

Rainbow District School Board plans to offer SHILO to students in Life Skills Programs in Rainbow secondary schools this fall.

-30-

Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.