Assessing Independent Living Skills and Interpersonal Skills
Comprehensive Independence and Interpersonal Skills Assessment (CIISA)
Vermont Based Assessment Service
Unlock a deeper understanding of individual capabilities and interpersonal dynamics with this Assessment. Designed for a wide array of settings, from educational institutions to therapeutic environments, CIISA offers a pioneering approach to evaluating three critical areas of personal development:
What CIISA Measures
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Independence Skills: Measure an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks and manage personal affairs, including essential living skills such as managing daily routines, self-care, and planning for independent living. This paves the way for targeted support and development plans that enhance self-reliance.
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Interpersonal Style: Gain insights into one’s interpersonal dynamics, including communication preferences and social interaction patterns. This knowledge empowers staff and caregivers to tailor their approach, ensuring more effective and harmonious relationships.
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Coping Skills: Understand how individuals navigate stress and adversity, identifying strengths and areas for growth. This aspect of the assessment aids in the creation of personalized coping strategies, enhancing resilience and well-being.
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Interests and Values: Connect skills with personal passions and motivations, enhancing engagement and long-term success.
Comprehensive Independence and Interpersonal Skills Assessment (CIISA)
Article
Discover CIISA: Transform your approach to community and residential support with a tool designed for depth and understanding. CIISA offers a pathway to tailor support precisely, fostering personal growth, enhancing interpersonal harmony, and building resilient communities. Ready to revolutionize care and empower individuals?
Benefits of the CIISA
CIISA provides a roadmap to independence by revealing hidden strengths and challenges, and by supporting the development of independent skills essential for autonomous living.
Who Is CIISA Designed For?
CIISA is crafted for anyone seeking clarity and growth in their journey toward greater independence and connection.
Young Adults Transitioning to Independence
Those moving from high school or family homes into independent living, dorms, or supported housing.
Parents and Guardians
Caregivers who need detailed insights to create actionable, supportive plans for their loved ones.
Neurodivergent Adults
Those navigating challenges in daily life skills, interpersonal relationships, and coping strategies.
Support Staff & Coaches
Direct-care professionals and counselors who need a comprehensive understanding of their clients’ needs for tailored, effective support.
A Letter to Parents and Support Professionals
Understanding Independence, Supporting Growth
Dear Parents and Support Professionals,
One of the most difficult questions in supporting a young adult is knowing when to help, when to step back, and when a different kind of support may be needed.
A young person may demonstrate considerable ability in one setting yet struggle with the same responsibilities in another. They may understand what needs to be done but have difficulty putting that understanding into action. Sometimes, familiar supports become so integrated into daily life that it is difficult to distinguish what someone can do independently from what they accomplish with assistance.
These situations are rarely explained by a simple lack of ability or motivation. They reflect the complex relationship between personal strengths, developing skills, emotional functioning, and environmental expectations.
Understanding that relationship is central to the Comprehensive Independence and Interpersonal Skills Assessment (CIISA).
The Challenge of Supporting Independence
The transition into adulthood brings changing expectations, greater responsibilities, and often fewer structured supports. Parents may wonder whether their child is prepared to manage daily life, maintain relationships, or navigate unexpected challenges. Support professionals face similar uncertainties when skills demonstrated in structured environments do not consistently translate into everyday functioning.
The question is not simply whether someone needs assistance, but what kind of assistance will best support their continued development.
CIISA explores practical independence, interpersonal functioning, coping, and the psychological factors that influence daily life. Rather than focusing exclusively on difficulties, it examines existing strengths, emerging abilities, and the circumstances that help or hinder success.
A young adult struggling with appointments, for example, may understand their healthcare needs but have difficulty organizing the necessary steps. Someone avoiding social situations may possess strong interpersonal abilities while experiencing anxiety in unfamiliar environments. These challenges call for different approaches, and identifying those differences can help guide more individualized support.
A Collaborative Approach to Growth
Parents and support professionals bring invaluable knowledge to this process. Your observations, experiences, and understanding of the individual can provide insights that formal assessment alone might miss.
Equally important is the young adult's own perspective: their goals, preferences, frustrations, and hopes for the future.
CIISA seeks to bring these perspectives together, creating a more complete understanding of the individual and identifying meaningful opportunities for growth. For adult participants, family and professional involvement, including access to findings, is guided by appropriate consent and confidentiality considerations.
The resulting information can help families establish realistic expectations, assist professionals in developing more targeted support strategies, and give individuals greater insight into their own strengths and needs.
Importantly, independence does not always mean doing everything alone. It can also mean knowing when to ask for help, communicating needs effectively, making informed decisions, and using available resources with confidence.
Sometimes growth involves learning a new skill. Sometimes it requires adapting an environment or changing an established support. The goal is to identify what helps each person move toward greater self-direction.
Moving Forward Together
Throughout my clinical work, I have seen how individuals, families, and support professionals can share the same hopes while holding very different understandings of what stands in the way.
A thoughtful assessment cannot eliminate every uncertainty, but it can provide a clearer starting point.
That is what I hope CIISA offers: not another set of labels or a prescribed path, but a deeper understanding of the individual and a practical foundation for meaningful progress.
Ultimately, the goal is not independence for its own sake. It is helping each young adult develop the skills, relationships, confidence, and self-direction necessary to build a life that is meaningful to them.
Warmly,
Cody Thomas Rounds
Clinical Psychologist-Master
Burlington, Vermont
The Clinician Behind the Assessment
Cody Thomas Rounds, M.A.
With over two decades of hands-on experience supporting young adults in residential, educational, and clinical settings, Cody Thomas Rounds brings unmatched insight into the real-world challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals seeking independence. His journey spans roles from behavioral support staff in residential programs to vocational counselor, and ultimately, to clinical psychologist and innovator.
A Vision Built from the Ground Up
Cody’s deep involvement in foundational programs—most notably as a founding instructor at SUCCEED, one of the first college-based transition programs for young adults on the autism spectrum—shaped his understanding of what makes support truly effective. Over years of direct work with families, students, and support staff, he identified a persistent gap: traditional assessments focused too narrowly on learning or behavior, overlooking the crucial interplay of interests, interpersonal dynamics, and everyday skills.
The Birth of CIISA
CIISA was born from Cody’s realization that independence isn’t just about mastering tasks—it’s about aligning skills with personal interests and adaptive strategies. By combining insights from vocational training, psychology, and decades of hands-on support experience, he crafted a tool designed specifically for young adults navigating the complex transition to independence in supportive environments.
A Practical Innovator
Cody’s background uniquely positions him to design assessments that work not just on paper but in real life. His approach reflects:
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Deep familiarity with neurodivergent profiles, particularly in emerging adulthood.
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Practical experience in residential and supportive living settings, where day-to-day challenges are the real test of readiness.
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Commitment to holistic success, integrating interests, social dynamics, and core independence skills.
Whether in consultation with families, collaboration with organizations, or direct assessments, Cody’s goal remains clear: to provide actionable, compassionate tools that unlock each individual’s path to greater independence, confidence, and resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions about CIISA
What makes CIISA different from other assessments?
CIISA stands out by combining evaluations of real-life independence skills, interpersonal styles, and coping strategies. It’s not just about test scores—it’s about understanding the whole person and creating actionable, individualized support plans.
Is CIISA only for people with specific diagnoses?
No. While it’s ideal for those with developmental disabilities, neurodivergence, or related challenges, CIISA is for anyone seeking greater independence, resilience, and improved interpersonal skills.
How long does a typical CIISA process take?
The comprehensive evaluation typically unfolds over multiple sessions, tailored to each individual’s needs. This allows for in-depth conversations, behavioral observations, and personalized feedback.
Who administers the CIISA assessment?
CIISA is conducted by experienced professionals trained in behavioral, psychological, and developmental assessments. They work closely with individuals, families, and support staff to ensure the process is collaborative and supportive.
Will I receive a detailed report?
Yes. Every CIISA participant receives a comprehensive, easy-to-understand report highlighting strengths, areas for growth, and actionable next steps. This report serves as a blueprint for creating meaningful and lasting change.
How does CIISA help with future planning?
CIISA provides a clear understanding of an individual’s capabilities and challenges, helping families, support workers, and programs design targeted plans for skill development, social engagement, and coping strategies that align with personal goals.