The Able Marga
Curriculum
Life Skills, Functional Academics, and Social & Communication Skills — a structured, full-year programme for children and young adults with autism, Down syndrome, intellectual disability and other special needs.
One printable worksheet a day.
Level 1 —
Life Skills Full Year Curriculum
Level 1 Life Skills is our foundational full year curriculum — 11 structured units, one per month, approximately 260 pages. Designed for children with autism, Down syndrome and special needs who are at the early foundations stage.
Every unit includes daily printable worksheets, pre-test, post-test, bilingual word cards, picture cards and parent/therapist guidance notes on every page.
Which level is
right for my child?
Able Marga has six levels — from early foundational skills to approaching independence. The level is determined by your child's current skills, not their age.
Level 1 — Early Foundations
Communicates with a few words, signs, or pictures. Needs hand-over-hand help for most tasks. Sits with adult support for short periods.
Prerequisites
- Points to pictures when asked
- Responds to own name
- Matches identical objects or pictures
- Sits at a table 5–10 mins with support
- No reading or writing needed
- Recognises 1–3 numbers by sight
Level 2 — Building Blocks
Uses 2-word phrases. Attempts tasks but needs prompting to finish. Names familiar objects and recognises daily routines.
Prerequisites
- Uses 2-word phrases or 10+ picture labels
- Follows a 2-step verbal instruction
- Sorts objects by colour, shape, or size
- Copies a simple repeating pattern
- Recognises own name in print
- Traces letters and numbers with a pencil
Level 3 — Emerging Skills
Speaks in short sentences. Completes 3–4 step tasks with verbal prompts. Knows letters and can count to 50.
Prerequisites
- Speaks in 3–5 word sentences
- Answers 'who' and 'where' questions
- Uses a picture schedule
- Groups objects by category
- Knows A–Z; counts to 50
- Reads 5–10 sight words
Level 4 — Developing Independence
Holds a short conversation. Completes daily routines without reminders. Reads simple sentences and counts to 100.
Prerequisites
- Holds a 3+ turn conversation
- Initiates communication
- Completes 5+ step routine without reminders
- Understands more/less and before/after
- Reads simple sentences; counts to 100
- Writes own name independently
Level 5 — Applied Skills
Uses skills outside the home. Describes events. Reads a paragraph and does basic Maths.
Prerequisites
- Describes an event in 2–3 sentences
- Answers 'why' and 'how' questions
- Uses a skill from home in a new place
- Plans a 2–3 step activity
- Reads a paragraph; adds and subtracts to 50
- Writes 1–2 sentences independently
Level 6 — Approaching Indep.
Manages daily life with minimal adult support. Self-advocates, reads functional text, uses money and tells time.
Prerequisites
- Asks for help independently
- Communicates needs and opinions clearly
- Problem-solves a new situation independently
- Plans and carries out a multi-day goal
- Reads signs, labels, and simple forms
- Writes a short paragraph
Not sure where to start?
Always start one level lower than you think. A too-easy start builds confidence fast. Your child can sit at different levels for different subjects — that is completely normal.
11 units, a full year of
structured learning
Each unit covers one month and is 23 pages — daily worksheets, pre-test, post-test, bilingual word cards, picture cards and guidance notes everywhere. A full year of curriculum is approximately 260 pages.
Unit 1 — Morning Routine
Skills
Waking independently, hygiene steps, getting dressed, breakfast, leaving for activity.
Why it matters
A calm structured morning changes the whole day — for your child and your family.
Unit 2 — My Body
Skills
Body parts, body functions, personal space, body safety, self-care vocabulary.
Why it matters
Body awareness is the foundation of self-care, health communication and personal safety.
Unit 3 — Keeping Clean
Skills
Handwashing, dental hygiene, bathing, hair care, nail care, clean vs dirty clothes.
Why it matters
Hygiene independence reduces caregiver dependence and supports social inclusion.
Unit 4 — Meal Times
Skills
Setting the table, serving food, eating independently, mealtime vocabulary, clearing up.
Why it matters
Mealtime participation builds family connection and reduces caregiver burden.
Unit 5 — Getting Dressed
Skills
Choosing clothing, dressing sequence, buttons and zips, weather awareness, Indian clothing.
Why it matters
Independent dressing is one of the first visible markers of growing independence.
Unit 6 — Festivals & Days
Skills
Recognising Indian festivals, appropriate behaviour, gift vocabulary, greetings, participation.
Why it matters
Cultural participation is part of a full, dignified life.
Unit 7 — Rooms in My Home
Skills
Identifying rooms, understanding purposes, navigating safely, home vocabulary.
Why it matters
Home safety and orientation is fundamental to independence inside the home.
Unit 8 — Helping at Home
Skills
Simple household tasks, following instructions, contributing to family life, task vocabulary.
Why it matters
Participating in home life builds confidence, routine and sense of belonging.
Unit 9 — Asking for Help
Skills
Identifying when help is needed, who to ask, how to ask, communication strategies.
Why it matters
Knowing how to ask for help is one of the most critical life skills for independence and safety.
Unit 10 — Places Near Me
Skills
Identifying community places, understanding their purpose, navigation vocabulary, safety.
Why it matters
Community orientation builds confidence and the foundation for independent travel.
Unit 11 — Year End Review
Skills
Consolidating skills from Units 1–10, generalisation across home and community, celebrating progress.
Why it matters
A structured review locks in the year's learning and sets your child up for the next level.
The Learning Science
Behind Every Worksheet
Errorless Learning
Every worksheet is structured so your child experiences success before working independently. Confidence is built before independence is expected.
Prompt Fading
Every worksheet begins with full support — physical, gestural, verbal — and gradually reduces prompting until your child completes the task alone.
Task Analysis
Every life skill is broken into its smallest teachable steps. Nothing is assumed. Nothing is skipped. Ideal for children who need each step made explicit.
Forward Chaining
Your child masters Step 1 completely before Step 2 is introduced. Independence is built link by link. Every session ends on a success.
Generalisation
Every Able Marga unit ends with real-life practice activities — so skills practised on a worksheet transfer to home, community and school settings.
Bilingual Word Cards
Every vocabulary card is in English and Hindi, with Indian contexts throughout — so children hear the same word from parents, therapists and teachers.
Download Unit 1: Morning Routine
The complete Unit 1: Morning Routine for Life Skills — the complete unit, not a sample. 23 pages including daily worksheets, pre-test and post-test, bilingual word cards, and guidance notes everywhere. Free.
Buy the Full Year Curriculum
Get the complete Level 1 Life Skills full year curriculum — 11 structured units, 260 pages, bilingual word cards, pre and post tests, parent guidance notes, placement guide and free bonus printables. Everything your child needs for a full year of structured learning.