Keepin' it local inspiring teens and young adults with special needs
Giving back through life-changing experiences.
About Us
Filling the GAP!
Tailored Sessions
Tailored Sessions
Local Independence is answering some hard questions like, "What can my child do after graduation?" and "Where can my child go to make some friends?" "Are there any after school/summer programs for teens/young adults with special needs"? We are here to facilitate social gatherings and teach functional skills not focused on academics. Our instructor-led groups for teens and young adults are individual or small groups based on ability level.
The dream is to teach skills that lead to creating a product that each individual is able to produce some sort of income from and in return feel proud of their accomplishment. With the help of other community members, we will find a way to showcase LI participants' work and sell it!
Tailored Sessions
Tailored Sessions
Tailored Sessions
Tailored Sessions are our programs that are developed in collaboration with the owner and the family to work on specific skill deficits of the individual. For many, these sessions begin as 1:1 sessions and gradually move into small group sessions depending on the deficit (such as communication or social anxiety). Nothing is ever out of the realm of possibility when it comes to special needs. There is almost always a way to accommodate!
Group Sessions
Tailored Sessions
Group Sessions
Group Programs for Recreational Skills foster artistic expression, following directions, staying on task, creativity, social interaction and as much independence as possible. We offer 4 varieties of recreational sessions:
Foundations Art 1:1 & 3:1, Mixed Media Art 1:1 & 3:1, Crafting (Pinterest), 1:1 & 3:1 and Cricut 1:1 & 4:2
We can provide in-home or video conferencing as well.
Our Team
Our Mission, Why we are Different!
Our Mission, Why we are Different!
I am the owner, Melissa Barber. I have twelve years of experience teaching students with special needs, grades K-12. I have two ladies who have classroom experience and a college student studying to be a teacher on the team as well. We are all committed to helping others and decided to take that passion and turn it into action.
We are b
I am the owner, Melissa Barber. I have twelve years of experience teaching students with special needs, grades K-12. I have two ladies who have classroom experience and a college student studying to be a teacher on the team as well. We are all committed to helping others and decided to take that passion and turn it into action.
We are beginning an Ambassador program with qualifying high school students that want to volunteer their time for a worthy cause, being a mentor to a teen with special needs during sessions! If you are interested, please email info@local-independence.com.
Our Mission, Why we are Different!
Our Mission, Why we are Different!
Our Mission, Why we are Different!
Our mission is to create a safe, accepting, amazing place dedicated to an underserved demographic of people with neurodiversities, the teens and young adults. There is an enormas lack of services for the secondary age group and beyond. Local Independence would like to fill that void by providing a space where people can come together to
Our mission is to create a safe, accepting, amazing place dedicated to an underserved demographic of people with neurodiversities, the teens and young adults. There is an enormas lack of services for the secondary age group and beyond. Local Independence would like to fill that void by providing a space where people can come together to feel smart, empowered, and independent. It's a fun, loving, place to learn and practice.
We focus on raising up individuals with a unique perspective of assuming that individuals with special needs "can" until they prove that they "can't".
Photo Gallery
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