What is a skill?

A skill is a specific ability or behavior that an individual can learn and perform. We all use numerous skills daily. Some skills are "simple" and involve just one step, while others are "complex" and consist of multiple components.

Let’s get awesome at life and learn some new skills.

SKILL BUILDING

How do you breakdown a skill?

First, we get a clear understanding of your end goal. Then, we identify the smaller skills needed to reach that goal. Some of these skills you might already have, while others will need to be learned. We then create an individualised skill development plan that serves as our framework for teaching.

What does ‘individualised learning’ mean?

At HYPE*, we emphasise 'individualised learning strategies' because we recognise that everyone learns differently due to the unique nature of our brains. We focus on understanding your personal learning style and tailor our strategies to match it in your skill development program. Our ultimate goal is to empower you to understand how you learn best so you can advocate for that in future settings.

What skills can I learn?

Whatever is important to you! At HYPE* we specialise in teaching across a variety of areas including communication, emotional regulation, daily living & self-care, executive functioning, play & social, and behaviour management.

How do I decide what skills to learn?

We work backwards from where you want to be in 5 years! We then break down your long-term goals into smaller, manageable skills that you need to learn to reach those milestones. We also identify any barriers to learning you might face and develop a plan to overcome them.

I’ve tried learning this skill before and it didn’t work.

No worries - that's exactly why we're here! Many factors can affect our ability to learn, including the learning environment, the people around us, how information is presented, our executive functioning skills, and our motivation and regulation. At HYPE*, we act like detectives, examining all the barriers that might be impacting your learning and addressing them one by one. Remember, some of these obstacles are created by a society that isn't always inclusive, and we're here to change that!

Everyone tries to make “learning fun” - how is HYPE different?

We listen and personalise! Research shows that learning is most effective when we're engaged and enjoying the process. There are countless ways to learn something new, and we're passionate about getting creative to find a method that suits you. Whether it's incorporating your favorite topics, adding sensory or movement supports, or taking the learning outside, together we can find the perfect approach!

What is ABA?

At HYPE*, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) forms the foundation of all our teaching. ABA is a powerful and evidence-based approach focused on understanding and improving learning and behaviour. ABA is used to teach new skills and understand why behaviours occur. By setting individualized goals, using evidence-based strategies, and making data-driven decisions, ABA has proven to be highly effective in creating new learning.

We know what you’re thinking… “ABA is bad, right?”. Check out our learning resources to find out more about how we use ABA to foster skill development and achieve meaningful outcomes, while prioritising the values, preferences, dignity and wellbeing of our clients.

What are some areas that I could learn new skills in?

    • Self-advocacy

    • Communicating wants and needs

    • Responding to an instruction/direction

    • Engaging in conversations

    • Identifying dysregulation

    • Implementing coping strategies

    • Identifying emotions in yourself and others

    • Tolerating uncomfortable emotions

    • Hygiene skills such as hair brushing, teeth brushing, etc.

    • Household skills such as cooking, laundry, etc.

    • Safety skills

    • Community access and transportation

    • Grocery Shopping

    • Planning and organising

    • Task initiation

    • Problem solving

    • Time management

    • Self-monitoring

    • Goal setting

    • Independent hobbies

    • Building friendships

    • Teamwork and collaboration

    • Compromising

    • Conflict resolution

    • Tolerating denial

    • Waiting

    • Transitioning

    • Setting boundaries