Introduction
It may be hard for you to imagine your child out in the world, or what he or she will do
once the school bus is no longer arriving each morning. Many families have spent years
researching, negotiating and advocating for services and supports to maximize their
child’s potential during their school years. Creating a transition plan for your child is
equally important.
Take a look back and think about all of the strides that your child has made so far,
and how much you have learned along the way. One lesson you may have learned
over and over is the importance of being proactive.
Keep in mind that many others have traveled this road before you, and lots of
information and resources have been developed to help you along the way.
Additionally, experts in the field have researched and investigated the process and
we have compiled a great deal of transition information and have included many
of these resources into this guide.
As parents and caregivers, we all want our children (those living with or without autism)
to be happy and to live fulfilling lives. What constitutes happiness or fulfillment for a
person is specific to that individual. All young adults impacted by autism have their
own unique strengths and challenges, as well as their own specific likes and dislikes.
So what may be an appropriate or desired employment, housing, postsecondary
education or community involvement option for one person may not be the right fit
for someone else.
This Tool Kit will provide you with suggestions and options for you to consider
as you set out on this journey toward finding your child’s own unique path
to adulthood.
With the importance of finding your child’s own specific path in mind, the development of self-advocacy and independent living skills is highlighted throughout this Tool Kit. We have broken it down into different sections. At the end, we have provided resources specific to each section. Since the transition process is different in each state, we have also developed timelines for each state, with state agency information that may be helpful to you throughout this process.
When it comes to transition planning, it can be helpful to start thinking about the future as early as possible. Some parents even start the transition conversation with their child’s school by age 12 or 13. And while it is never too early to think about the future of your child, if your child is older and close to finishing high school or aging out of the school system, rest assured that it is also never too late!
It can also help to work backwards. Think about where you see your child in the future based on their strengths, challenges, abilities and preferences. What type of job will they have? Where will they live? The transition plan should be developed and then adjusted through the years with these ultimate goals in mind. Where do you see your child in ten years? To get there, where do you see them in five years? Two years? Six months? Working backwards can help you stay on track and take the necessary steps now to enable a fulfilling future.
Remember that all roads do not lead to the same place. The path will be different for each family, but the goal remains the same: that your young autistic adult will lead a fulfilling and happy adult life. With some planning and collaborative efforts with your child, family members, educators and other professionals involved in their life, you will make great strides in accomplishing this goal!
If you have any questions or are looking for additional resources, please feel
free to contact our Autism Response Team:
We’re here to help.
1-888-AUTISM2 (1-888-288-4762) help@autismspeaks.org
En Español: 1-888-772-9050 ayuda@autismspeaks.org