Functional Curriculum

for Multi – Handicapped

Children
Jennifer C. Arnaiz
MSE 103
Fundamental Questions 2

•Where are we going?

•How will we get there?
Functional Curriculum 3

• is a curriculum that focuses upon

independent living skills and vocational
skills, emphasizing communication and
social skills. Students at the secondary
level who are prime candidates for such
a curriculum are identified.
• So, a curriculum that teaches
functional skills
Things to think about… 4

• Chronological Age
• Natural Environments
• Teach Incidental Learning
• Importance of Routines
• Individualization
• Independence
Chronological Age 5

• Are the activities age

appropriate?
• Are the students treated as
their peers?
• Are students given autonomy?
• Is the focus on independence?
Natural Environments 6

• Different types of environments

• Home
• School/Work
• Community
• Leisure
• Carry-over
• Routines
• Independence
Incidental Learning 7

• Routines
• Opportunities throughout
the day
• Purposeful – what is the
function?
Individualization 8

• Each student is unique

• Understand where the
student is
• Understand the
student’s goal
• How can we get there?
Routines are Crucial 9

• Activities that teach should be part of the

routine
• Understanding within context
• Activities:
• Cooking
• Hygiene
• Object Identification
• Independent activities
• Pre-Voc
 A Total Communication
Approach 10

• Using Behavior
• Using Gestures
• Using Manual Signs
• Using Augmentative
Communication Devices
• Using Picture symbols or tactile
symbols
Choices are Essential 11

• Choices give students their voice

• Choices make the world more
predictable
• Choices can increase preferred
behavior
• Choices can show comprehension
Choices via iPad 12
Tactile Schedules
and Routines 13
Object Identification 14
Daily Living Skills turn into
Functional Curriculum Activities 15

• Setting the table

• Object Identification
• Left/right – Top/Bottom – next to
• Cleaning up after meals
• In/out
• Hygiene
• Doing the laundry
• Object Identification
• Matching/Sorting
• Texture Discrimination
Cooking 16
Story Boxes 17
Experience Books 18
19
Pre-Vocational 20
21
Independent Living Skills
Areas
 23

• Eating • Laundry
• Dressing • Housekeeping
• Toileting • Food preparation
• Student cooking • Money
hamburger • Shopping
• Hygiene • Telephone and
technology
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