Life Competencies in the Context of Education Planning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

The article examines contemporary views on the structure and contents of the life competency concept and evaluates how it can contribute to education planning if used as a tool for evaluating effectiveness of functioning. The article reveals the problems associated with ambiguity of semantically similar terminology used in psychology, medicine and education. It presents a blueprint for structuring key life competencies and practicing the competency-based activity approach to educating children with ASD including universal criteria for evaluating basic skills and major planning steps. This paper was written within the framework of the state-financed work “Rendering psychological and educational support and methodological assistance to organizations educating individuals with difficulties in acquiring general education programs” of the Department of Education of Moscow.

Keywords

• life competencies
• life skills
• autism spectrum disorders