Life Development Institute (LDI) assists teens and young adults who have learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome, and other similar learning and social differences with their successful transition into independent living.  Through its three programs, which are its day high school, summer academy, and residential program, LDI offers students successful transition to independent adult living.  In order to facilitate a better understanding of each program, LDI displays characteristics specific to each one.

As such, this blog will focus upon LDI’s residential program, which provides students with the opportunity to obtain their high school diploma and or complete post-secondary education.  LDI students begin their career or academic journey in LDI’s supportive campus and inclusive residential community, which provides access to institutions of higher learning, work experience, and civic engagement.  In this community, residential staff and advisors work with students in the apartments to help mentor different life skills based upon individual student needs.  These life skills include cooking, cleaning, conflict resolution, resiliency, time management, independence, and initiative.  Additionally, evening and overnight staff provide a layer of safety for students while encouraging each student’s progress towards becoming confident, capable and independent adults, which is celebrated and honored.    

Creating a 35-year program of success requires that the individual pieces work together for the excellence of the student.  Therefore, LDI includes the following features and highlights:

  • Apartment living in a privately gated residential community.
  • Student-driven Plan of Action assesses personal development of typical adult knowledge and applied skills.
  • On-site evening and 24/7 on-call emergency staff provide mentoring and support as needed.
  • Core curriculum designed to help students succeed in modern day society with people from all walks of life.
  • Access and enrollment at any of the area’s 28 universities and colleges or at 400+ vocational/technical programs.
  • Comprehensive career planning process matching students’ interests, passions, and abilities with the occupation/business competencies required by the type of work environment and employer that they are considering.
  • LDI Advisors who work directly with students to assist in adjusting to being more responsible and responsive for the day-to-day events of life, which may include moving away from a sense of entitlement towards attaining a higher level of personal empowerment, identity, and achievement.  

Upon successful completion, LDI students demonstrate that they are ready for life, whether that includes college and or career.  This readiness is displayed by their ability to successfully transition into independent adults who live on their own in independent housing while managing their everyday tasks.  Furthermore, students successfully complete a practical college/career-readiness focused course of study by earning sufficient transferable credits to matriculate or graduate from college/university or technical program, and by earning a high school diploma if necessary.  Finally, LDI students display skills for success in a global environment.  These skills include certified proficiency in reading, writing, math, observing, listening, and speaking in a variety of settings, contributing to the workplace as satisfied high-achievers who place service over self-interest, and making healthy adult decisions enhancing physical, mental, and emotional well-being.  

For more information, please visit www.discoverldi.com, call 623-773-1545, or email info@discoverldi.com.