Therapy Lab Presents…

Real World Ready

A community-based life skills experience for teens ages 15–17

Life skills are best learned by living them!

Real World Ready takes learning beyond the clinic and into the community! Designed for teens ages 15–17, this six-week enrichment program creates opportunities to practice everyday skills in real-world settings, from ordering at a café and managing a budget to navigating stores, making decisions, and solving problems along the way.

With a maximum of four participants and guidance from two occupational therapists, teens will have opportunities to build confidence, explore independence, and connect with peers through meaningful, hands-on experiences.

Where Will We Go?

Real World Ready takes us out into the community, where everyday experiences become opportunities to explore, practice, and grow! Throughout the six weeks, teens may participate in experiences such as:

● Cafés & Restaurants: Exploring menus, ordering food, managing payments, and communicating preferences.

● Grocery Stores: Creating shopping lists, comparing prices, locating items, and staying within a budget.

● Retail Stores: Making purchasing decisions, navigating stores, and practicing money management.

● Community Spaces: Building confidence navigating public environments, problem-solving, and making decisions.

● Teen-Planned Adventure: Putting it all together as participants collaborate to plan an outing based on their interests!

Each experience is designed to encourage independence, flexibility, self-advocacy, and meaningful connections with peers.

The Details

  • Ages: 15–17

  • Dates: Wednesdays beginning April 14, 2027

  • Time: 12:30-2:00pm

  • Duration: 6 weeks | 90 minutes per session

  • Group Size: Maximum of 4 participants

  • Cost: $600 per participant

  • Facilitators: 2 licensed occupational therapists

How it works

What to Expect

Each week, our group will meet at a designated community location for a new experience! Families will drop off and pick up their teen at the scheduled meeting location, which will be shared in advance.

With two occupational therapists guiding a small group of four participants, teens will have opportunities to practice decision-making, problem-solving, communication, and independence while exploring familiar and new environments.

What’s Included?

Tuition covers all six sessions, designated activity expenses, and materials needed for planned experiences. Families will receive information about each outing in advance, including the meeting location and any important details.

Real World Ready is a community-based life skills enrichment program and is not intended to replace individualized occupational therapy services.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Not at all! Real World Ready is a community-based enrichment program open to teens ages 15–17. Participants do not need to be current Therapy Lab clients.

  • Real World Ready meets on Wednesdays from 12:30–2:00 PM, beginning April 14 through May 19, 2027. The program includes six weekly sessions, each lasting 90 minutes.

  • Each week, we’ll meet at a designated community location based on the planned activity. Families will receive meeting locations and outing details in advance.

  • Families are responsible for dropping off and picking up their teen at the designated meeting location. Transportation to and from sessions is not provided.

  • Each session will be facilitated by two licensed occupational therapists from Therapy Lab, with a maximum of four participants. Our small group size allows for individualized guidance while encouraging independence and peer interaction.

  • The cost is $600 per participant for the full six-week program. ESA+ funds and private pay are accepted. Tuition includes all six sessions, designated activity expenses, and materials needed for planned experiences.

  • Designated activity expenses are included in tuition, so additional spending money is not required for planned activities. Families will be notified in advance if there are opportunities for optional purchases.

  • Every teen brings their own strengths, interests, and support needs! We’re happy to connect with families before enrollment to discuss their teen’s needs, answer questions, and determine whether the group environment and planned experiences will be a good fit.

  • Real World Ready is a community-based life skills enrichment program led by licensed occupational therapists. While experiences incorporate skills commonly addressed in OT, the program is not individualized occupational therapy treatment and does not replace traditional OT services.

Ready for Your Next Adventure?

Real places, real experiences, and plenty of opportunities to grow! Join us for six weeks of exploring the community, building confidence, and practicing everyday independence alongside peers.

Spots are limited to just 4 teens!

Register Now