Effectiveness of Experiential Life Skills Coaching for Youth with a Disability

AIMS: There is little empirical evidence about the effectiveness of life skills programs in preparing youth with disabilities for successful participation in adult life. This retrospective study examined the effectiveness of an experiential life skills coaching intervention. METHODS: Using Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) as outcome measures, we compared the effectiveness of group-based and one-to-one interventions on goal attainment, and explored whether this was affected by gender or goal domain. RESULTS: We found that goal attainment was statistically and clinically significant for all genders and intervention formats. No differences in goal attainment were found between group and one-to-one interventions. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence for the effectiveness of goal-focused, community-based experiential life skills interventions to support skill development in youth with a disability and help them prepare for transition to adult life.