Vocational Programs - Maharat Learning Center

At Maharat, we recognize the importance of teaching children the life skills they need to work, socialize, stay safe, care for their own needs, and live self-sufficient lives. We understand that every individual has unique talents, interests, and goals. That is why we provide innovative, individualized training tailored to each student’s specific needs. Using applied behaviour analysis approaches, we focus on the most effective techniques to help each child reach their highest level of independence.

Pre-Vocational Skills

Pre-vocational skills help students prepare themselves for success in higher education and in the workplace.These skills include following complex directions, compliance skills, coping skills, time management skills, independent task completion skills and planning and problem-solving skills.

Vocational Skills

Vocational skills are practical skills that learners acquire in a certain field of interest. Individuals develop vocational skills through hands-on experience and/or training. Maharat prepares students for independence in their personal and professional life by offering on-site training as well as community-integrated vocational programs.

Our Pre-vocational & Vocational programs are modelled on ‘ASDAN,’ a pioneering curriculum development organization and awarding body offering programs and qualifications that specifically develop skills for learning, skills for employment, and skills for life. Their programs offer a flexible approach to learning without the more rigid requirements of qualifications and an imaginative way of accrediting young people’s achievements. ASDAN award programs and qualifications are usually vocational in nature, and are mainly aimed at students aged between 9 and 25 years.

ASDAN Programs

New Horizons

Ages 9-13

5 modules: Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship, Relationships
Each module consists of 5 different sections of activities

Transition Challenge

Ages 14-16

Sensory Book: 5 modules: Communication and Interaction, Cognition, Physical, and Self-Help, and Independence
Introduction and Progression Book: 5 modules: Knowing How, Making Choices, Feeling Good, Moving Forward and Taking the Lead
Each module consists of different activities

Workright

Ages 14+

4 Modules – Health and Safety at Work, Responsibilities in the Workplace, Working with Others, You at Work
Each module is divided into 3 sections

Towards Independence

Ages 16+

70 Modules-Themes of modules can be divided into Communication and Numeracy, Creative Studies, Cultural, Independent Living, Leisure, Recreation and Sport, Personal Development, PSHE (personal, social and health education) and Citizenship & Work related

ASDAN Delivery

The student and his/her support team (parents, teacher, etc.) will choose which modules from each ASDAN program are best suited for their learning needs. In addition, within each module the student can choose which activities are best suited for them. Each ASDAN program will be used in conjunction with Maharat’s ABA programs.

In order to be eligible for an ASDAN certificate, the evidence from completed modules (e.g., data, photos, witness statements, etc.) will be submitted ASDAN for review.

Stage 1: Daily Living Skills (Ages 10 – 13)

Ensure basic, age-appropriate daily livings skills such as Self-Care Skills, Independent Living Skills and Community Skills are solidly intact.
Explore school options
Provide Community-Based Intervention (CBI)
Explore community resources
Emphasize self-advocacy & explore social networks
Teach community access skills

Stage 2: Adaptive Functioning Skills (Ages 13 – 14)

Continue to ensure basic, age-appropriate daily livings skills such as Self-Care Skills, Independent Living Skills and Community Skills are solidly intact.
Provide Person-Centered Planning (PCP) to plan for the future
Encourage volunteer involvement in areas of interest
Explore community-based vocational training options
Investigate possible job placement options
Investigate public transportation options

Stage 3: Adaptive Functioning Skills & Functional Independence (Ages 14 – 16)

Heavy emphasis to ensure age-appropriate daily livings skills such as Self-Care Skills, Independent Living Skills and Community Skills are solidly intact.
Teach the individual how to access community resources &/or transportation
Prepare for student’s Transition Plan
Ensure Individualized Education Plan (IEP) includes Futures Plan-Tertiary Education, Vocational Training and Independent Living

Stage 4: Functional Independence (Ages 14 – 16)

Begin access of community resources & transportation with assistance
Work on developing a Transition Plan
Begin access to vocational & housing arrangements with assistance
Begin access to Community Resources with assistance
Begin Future Planning-Tertiary Education, Vocational Training and Life Skills

Stage 5: Transition (Ages 18+)

Implement Transition Plan
Access community resources & transportation
Access vocational & housing arrangements
Implement Future Planning-Tertiary Education, Vocational Training and Life Skills

Tertiary Education Support (TES)

Advanced Educational Placement:
Helping individuals search for possible advanced education options

Preference
Possibilities
Requirements
Application Process
Acceptance Process

Advanced Educational Support

Our experts work with individuals in colleges and technical schools and higher education to support deep and meaningful learning, advocate and promote transition by providing:

In-class Learning Support Assistant
Home educational support using principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)