Functional skills practice:

• Cooking & Meal Planning – grocery shopping, following recipes, and creating simple routines for meals

• Time Management & Routines – using calendars, visual timers, and building sustainable daily routines

• Social Confidence & Communication – practicing conversation skills, developing friendships, or joining clubs

• Exploring Hobbies & Interests – art, music, sport, outdoor activities, or other meaningful pastimes

• Educational Support – building study skills, enrolling in short courses, or planning transitions into further education

• Budgeting & Money Management – learning to track expenses, use banking apps, and plan for purchases

Daily Living & Independence

• Building routines (morning/evening, homework, leisure)

• Personal organisation (using planners, alarms, reminders)

• Developing self-care skills with guidance (e.g., hygiene, dressing, grooming)

• Household management (meal planning, cooking, laundry, cleaning, shopping)

• Budgeting and money skills (banking, saving, using public transport cards, managing pocket money)

Community & Social Participation

• Practicing communication and social interaction skills in real settings

• Supporting attendance at clubs, sports, community groups, or interest-based activities

• Building confidence to try new experiences in the community

• Using public transport safely and independently

Education & Employment Pathways

• Homework/study routines and organisational skills

• Exploring vocational interests or work experience opportunities

• Resume writing, mock interviews, job readiness skills

• Enrolling in courses or training programs

• Workplace social skills and expectations

Health & Wellbeing

• Supporting therapy programs prescribed by allied health professionals (e.g., OT, physio, speech)

• Encouraging exercise, outdoor play, and healthy habits

• Using sensory regulation strategies in daily life

• Encouraging participation in hobbies and creative outlets for wellbeing

Emotional Regulation & Coping Skills

• Practicing calming strategies taught by therapists (e.g., breathing, mindfulness, sensory breaks)

• Role-playing problem solving and conflict resolution

• Building confidence in managing change or unexpected situations

• Supporting PDA-informed approaches (choice, collaboration, flexibility)

Life Skills & Goal Achievement

• Supporting independence in travel, shopping, cooking, and money handling

• Helping to break down bigger goals into small, achievable steps

• Tracking progress and celebrating successes

• Supporting participants to self-advocate and make choices

Let’s Grow Together

If you’d like to learn more about mentoring and how Nathan can support your child or young person, we’d love to connect. Please email Nathan to book a meet and greet nathan@therapygold.com.au

Mentors don’t provide clinical therapy, medical treatments, or formal counselling. Instead, they support the participant to apply skills in real-life contexts and practice skills recommended by their caregivers, therapists or care team.