Individualized Plans

In addition to group Studio Sessions, we offer a variety of add-on services to support neurodiverse individuals in becoming their best-selves.

Individual skills coaching may include academic coaching, individual life & social skill coaching, dating & relationship coaching, job coaching, and funding support.

Academic Coaching

Barrier-Free's Creative Director, Britt Burr, offers 1-on-1 academic coaching for high school and college students.

Academic coaching is available to current Studio Members or new participants.

Services offered:

  • Weekly meetings in-person at The Studio or via Zoom to support student organization, communication with teachers/professors, management of workload, student advocacy-skills, outlining writing assignments, developing research skills, navigating rubrics and online learning platforms, calendar of assignments and due dates, and general student success.
  • Tutoring for all subjects with a neurodiversity-centered approach
  • Test-prep and test-taking skills
  • Assistance with registering for classes and remaining on-track for graduation
  • Assistance with finding & securing internship opportunities
  • Advocating for student accommodations at the college-level

Individual Living, Life Skills, & Social Skill Coaching

Studio members learn a variety of skills during group sessions at The Studio, but we recognize that some families may want to target specific skills with an individualized approach.
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Britt Burr & Lauren Burr, offer 1-on-1 life and social skills coaching for current Studio Members. 

Coaching sessions​ may occur on-site at The Life Skills & Social Studio, at a participants home, or in the community based on a participant's specific goals.  Coaching can be short-term to target one specific skill or long-term depending on a family's desired plan.

Skill coaching may include:

  • Communication skills - friendship building, professional communication, self-advocacy, phone calls, and more
  • Personal hygiene and establishing daily routines for success
  • Organization and implementation of systems that support success
  • Independent living set-up and success check-ins
  • Cooking, cleaning, and shopping for groceries/supplies​
  • Money management, budgeting, and financial planning
  • Navigating society and transportation
  • Anxiety-triggers and strategies for success in society

Dating & Relationship Coaching

At Barrier-Free we seek to teach and promote healthy dating skills within the neurodiverse community.

Building friendships and sharing special moments with a bestie is amazing...but what happens when we want something more? How do we go about doing this? How do we even know what we want? How do we go about this safely? 

Dating and relationship coaching targets everything from the social nuances of dating and navigating relationships to sexual education, consent, and appropriate ways to communicate for current Studio Members or couples where at least one participant is a Studio member.

Coaching sessions​ occur on-site at The Life Skills & Social Studio based on a participant or couple's specific goals.  Coaching can be short-term to target one specific skill or long-term depending on desired outcomes.

Dating coaching may include:

  • Social nuances of dating
  • Am I being flirty or creepy?
  • Are we friends or are we more?
  • Appropriate communication - in-person & online
  • Where might I meet a potential partner?
  • Courtship & going on dates
  • Consent and how to say no
  • Love languages
  • Rejection & being turned down
  • LGBTQ+ safe zone
  • Sexual education & safety
  • Breakups & coping
  • Long-term relationship expectations and planning

Job Coaching

Obtaining and maintaining a job are building blocks to a fulfilling life and Barrier-Free can help.

Barrier-Free provides private job coaching for neurodiverse individuals 18+ who have attended The Life Skills & Social Studio weekly for at least 1-month.

Attending the Life Skills & Social Studio allows our Studio staff to obtain a full-picture of a participant's strengths, skills, and interests to best support job coaching.

Job coaching is available to participants currently seeking a job or for participants who already have a job but are seeking additional support.

Job coaching may include:

  • Resume creation and development
  • Searching and sorting job listings
  • Applying to jobs​
  • Interview skills and prep
  • Appropriate communication with bosses and coworkers
  • Workplace etiquette
  • Professional appearance and hygiene
  • Supportive workplace - direct communication with supervisors (once employer permission is provided)
  • On-site support (once employer permission is provided)
  • Financial planning - How will having a job impact my funding?

"Thanks so much for your assistance with Jared's interview skills and resume.  Having the written feedback after each session provided a springboard for us to work on some things at home.  Jared successfully interviewed at Carroll Lutheran Village and got the job!!!  You were able to tailor the sessions to the type of interview Jared would have using his prior experience and references.  Thank you also for taking Jared to a Sykesville business for more practice interviewing!  The real world experience taught him to be a little more flexible during an interview!"

- Michelle, mother of Jared, a Studio participant

Driving Coaching

Driving while neurodiverse includes more than just obtaining a driver's license.  Barrier-Free is here to support families as they prepare for their neurodiverse family member to begin driving.

Driving coaching is recommended at all stages of the driver's education process whether a participants has no experience, limited experience, or already has a license but desires additional support to be a successful driver.

This coaching is available only to participants currently attending The Life Skills & Social Studio.

Driving coaching may include:

  • Navigating a traffic stop
  • Communicating with police officers
  • Self-advocating for oneself during a traffic stop
  • Preparing for the learner's permit assessment
  • Rules of the road and sign recognition
  • Minimizing distractions
  • Anxiety triggers and self-regulation when preparing to drive
  • Instruction and support for families teaching the driver-to-be
**Barrier-Free does not operate a Maryland certified driving education program.  All driving coaching is supplemental to an individual's attendance of a certified program and completing all Maryland licensing requirements.

DDA Self-Direct & Funding Support

All Barrier-Free indivudal services are eligible to be written into an individual DDA Self-Direct plan, are eligible for the Autism Waiver and transition scholarships, or can be covered by private pay.

Barrier-Free's Executive Director, Lauren Burr, is available to support families in writing Barrier-Free services into individual Self-Direct plans.

This support is offered at NO COST to families and please indicate your interest in the Request a Quote form below.

Build-Your-Plan

Barrier-Free add-on services vary in price based on a family's desired plan, frequency, and location (home vs. onsite at The Studio).

Please fill out the form below or contact us at info@BarrierFreeMD.com regarding your preferred services and a member of our Barrier-Free Team will reach out to you within 48 hours.
Click Here to Request a Personal Quote

Not a Studio Member yet?

Visit our Life Skills & Social Studio page to learn about our mission, programming, and how to get started. 

Feeling overwhelmed with information?

Give us a call at 301-799-8669.  We'd love to hear about how we can best support you or your neurodiverse family member.  A Barrier-Free team member would be happy to walk you through everything we offer.

See what else Barrier-Free offers.

In addition to The Life Skills & Social Studio, Barrier-Free also offers inclusive theater companies, classes, and social clubs.