AUTISM. EVERYDAY LIFE. MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION.
Children and adults with autism learn and develop within everyday life — through routines, relationships, responsibilities, community experiences, work, recreation, and the many ordinary moments that make up a life.
Living & Learning Aligned explores how intentional parenting, thoughtfully built supports, and meaningful opportunities can work together to support participation across childhood and adulthood.
Three interconnected ways
of supporting meaningful participation
in everyday life.
And they develop over time,
building one day upon the next
as the person, family, and life evolve.
Intentional Parenting
Parents have a unique and evolving influence within everyday family life.
Bring intention to that influence — noticing what matters, building on strengths and interests, supporting participation, and responding to the moments that actually unfold.
Create Opportunities
Learning and participation need meaningful places to live.
Everyday routines, relationships, community experiences, recreation, work, and responsibilities can provide opportunities to participate, contribute, connect, and grow.
Build Supports
The right supports can make participation more understandable and accessible.
People, environments, routines, visual and practical tools, and technology can support participation — and increasingly support self-management as abilities grow.
These Work Together
An opportunity may require support.
A support may make a new opportunity possible.
Intentional parenting helps us notice what matters, what is working, and what might help next.
Living and learning become aligned when learning has somewhere meaningful to live.
Explore Living & Learning Aligned
Throughout the site, you'll find ideas, examples, and practical resources for supporting meaningful participation across everyday life.
Participation Within Everyday Life
Real-life reflections, research-to-practice ideas, and examples of meaningful participation across childhood and adulthood.
Parent Planner
A simple, free tool for approaching a meaningful everyday activity with greater intention.
Parent Consultation
Individualized conversation when it would be useful to think through something within your own family life.