Welcome to Skills For Life

Occupational Therapy & Transition Support for Neurodivergent Young Adults

At Skills for Life, we support neurodivergent individuals 16+ in developing the skills, routines, and personal capacities—such as self-awareness, conscientiousness, resilience, and self-determination—needed for meaningful adult life.

Our program was designed in 2016 as a home and community-based model—working with clients in their homes, schools, workplaces, and community settings.

To ensure consistent quality and sustainable services, we now only provide in-person visits primarily within the metro Boston area. That said, whenever possible, we also offer virtual services to extend access, reduce travel barriers, and maintain continuity of care for clients both inside and outside our immediate service area throughout MA.

Since 2022, we have been credentialed with major insurance payers—including Medicare, MassHealth, and BCBS—to support equitable access to our services. However, since 2025 our insurance-funded services must now align with what an insurance plan defines as “medically necessary.” This means, if using an insurance benefit, our work together will focus only on self-care, home management, and health management activities completed within the home (see below for more details).

If you want the full scope of our model as it was designed and intended, including support for community participation, travel training, employment, education, and social goals, this is available through our private pay or district-funded services, which are not bound by insurance restrictions and may be provided at home, in the community, in schools, or virtually.

Our Services

Direct Occupational Therapy Services

• • Insurance-funded: Limited to self-care, home management, and health management goals within the home
  • Private pay or district-funded: Full model, including home and community-based goals such as community participation, vocational and educational support, and travel training

Transition Assessments (Private Pay or District-Funded)

• • Comprehensive evaluation for students ages 16–22
  • Covers four domains: postsecondary education/training, competitive employment, independent living, and community participation
  • Informs student-centered transition planning

Family Consultation Services (Private Pay)

• • Coaching for parents, caregivers, and loved ones
  • Strategies to support a young adult’s transition to independent, purposeful living

Insurance vs. Private Pay: What’s Covered?

Insurance Covers (Likely Eligible):

• • Self-Care (ADLs): showering, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene
  • Home Management (IADLs): cooking, cleaning, laundry, organizing documents, managing communication (email/phone)
  • Health Management: medication tracking, scheduling appointments, completing health forms, communicating with providers

Insurance Does Not Cover (Private Pay or District Funding Required):

• • Travel training
  • Vocational & educational support
  • Social participation goals
  • Any services delivered in community settings

If starting with insurance-funded OT, goals must stay within the insurance-covered categories to avoid denied claims or unexpected bills.

Which Funding Path Fits Your Needs?

Your Goals	Recommended Path	Why
Self-care, home routines, health management at home	Insurance	Typically considered “medically necessary”
Community participation, employment, education, social skills	Private Pay or District Funding	Not covered by insurance; allows full range of services
Transition planning for school-aged youth	Private Pay or District-Funded Assessment	Assessments are not covered by insurance
Family coaching or consultation	Private Pay	Insurance does not cover sessions for caregivers

Capacity & Waitlist

We are currently at capacity for new OT clients. You can still join our consultation waitlist by completing the appropriate pre-consultation form below. We will contact you when space becomes available.

Get Started

Choose the form that matches your funding path and service type by completing one of our interest forms