Kennedy Krieger School Opens Functional Living Skills Classroom to Support Independence for Students with Developmental Disabilities

BALTIMORE, Oct. 1, 2026-Kennedy Krieger School: Powder Mill Campus celebrated the opening of its functional living skills classroom with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 30. The apartment-style classroom provides students with autism and developmental disabilities with hands-on learning to develop the skills needed for greater independence and success in adulthood.

The classroom gives students a dedicated place to practice everyday living skills in a realistic setting. Designed to resemble a fully furnished apartment, the classroom includes a kitchen, bathroom area, bedroom furnishings, and other common household features. Students can practice tasks such as cooking, cleaning, household organization, and self-care routines with support from school staff.

"It is important for us to have this new space that can accommodate the different needs and goals of our students," said Terry Scott, director of education at the Powder Mill Campus. "It allows students to practice life skills as if they were living on their own and develop the confidence to be as independent as they can be."

For many individuals with developmental disabilities, achieving independence requires personalized instruction and additional practice. This space supports these efforts by integrating training into students' educational programming. It is primarily used by students ages 14 to 21 who are participating in transition planning and preparing to graduate.

"The goal is not only to teach essential skills but also to create learning opportunities that motivate students and make them excited to participate," said Scott.

The project was made possible through generous support from Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, the Mary and Daniel Loughran Foundation, the Syla Foundation, and Covenant Guild, Inc.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony also commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Powder Mill Campus, which has provided specialized educational services and support to students in Montgomery County since 2007.

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About Kennedy Krieger Institute:
Kennedy Krieger Institute, an internationally known, nonprofit organization located in the greater Baltimore/Washington, D.C., region, transforms the lives of nearly 30,000 individuals a year through inpatient and outpatient medical, behavioral health and wellness therapies; home and community services; school-based programs; training and education for professionals; and advocacy. Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children, adolescents and adults with diseases, disorders and injuries that impact the nervous system, ranging from mild to severe. The Institute is home to a team of investigators who contribute to the understanding of how disorders develop, while at the same time pioneering new interventions and methods of early diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Visit KennedyKrieger.org for more information about Kennedy Krieger.