Individualized Plans

In addition to group Studio Sessions, we offer a variety of one-on-one skill coaching services to support neurodiverse individuals with integrating into society, supporting families, and achieving maximum independence and life outcomes.

Skill coaching can support an individual's self-determination, community or independent living, social capital, economic sufficiency, and achieving individually defined life outcomes.

Supportive Independent Living & Life Skill Coaching

We are thrilled to support individuals and families with their independent living goals.

Supportive Independent Living provides an individual with the opportunity to use their skills or learn new skills to live more independently and participate in their community.

Weekly schedules are flexible and can begin at just 1 hour per week with the goal to help a person take command of their life and scale back family supports over time.
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Supportive Independent Living & Life Skill Coaching is available only to Studio Members.

Skill coaching may include:

  • Establishing daily routines for success
  • Communication skills - friendship building, professional communication, self-advocacy, phone calls, and more
  • Personal hygiene and establishing daily routines for success
  • Organization, cleaning, and implementation of maintenance systems
  • Independent living set-up and routine check-ins
  • Planning, cooking, and shopping for groceries/supplies​
  • Money management, budgeting, and financial planning
  • Navigating society and transportation
  • Anxiety-triggers and strategies for success in society
  • Responding to emergencies
  • 24 hour emergency response service for those living independently in Sykesville, MD

Academic Coaching

Barrier-Free's Creative Director, Britt Burr, offers 1-on-1 academic coaching for students 18+ and college students.

Academic coaching is available to current Barrier-Free participants in any programs.

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

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.

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 is available only to Studio Members.

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 & Employment Support

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 3-months.

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?
Current inclusive employment partnerships located in Downtown Sykesville include:

"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

Peer Mentorship

Barrier-Free provides one-on-one or small group peer mentorship for individuals 18+ who have attended The Life Skills & Social Studio weekly for at least 1-month.

Our program is designed to match individuals with neurodivergent peer mentors who can act as guides and supports. Our trained mentors will work with you to tailor supports that meet your specific needs.
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Our peer mentorship program is unique in that it empowers individuals to effectively advocate for themselves while building connection and friendship. Our mentors have firsthand experience navigating life while being neurodivergent and can offer invaluable insights and guidance to peers.

Peer mentorship sessions begin with weekly meetups at The Life Skills & Social Studio in Downtown Sykesville. Pairs are supported by a member of the Barrier-Free team on an as-needed basis.

Peer Mentorship may include:

  • Self-Advocacy
  • Guidance with making & keeping friends
  • Appropriate texting & social media etiquette
  • Navigating society with greater independence
  • Combating loneliness & isolation
  • Guidance with independent living
  • Decision-making
  • Improving self-worth & confidence

DDA Self-Direct Plans & 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.

Initial meeting is offered at no cost to families and continued support is available for a retainer amount or hourly services. Please indicate your interest in the Request a Quote form below.

Self-Direct Support may include:

  • Initial meeting at no cost with family to discuss how Barrier-Free services are included in Self-Direct plans. Prospective participant must first complete trial sessions at a Barrier-Free program before requesting services in a plan
  • Supporting families in applying for DDA services, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or other subsidies
  • Editing/review of PCP plans once completed by Coordinator of Community Services
  • Attending Person Centered Plan (PCP) & Budget Meetings
  • Attending meetings with Support Brokers
  • Supporting families in finding Support Brokers and recommending services

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 [email protected] 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 or text 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.