Preparing for the Future: Considerations for Transition Planning Cathy Pratt, Ph.D. Director, Indiana Resource Center for Autism Chair, National Autism Society of America

Employment & ASD An IRCA survey showed that of 61% of individuals (over age 18) represented in the survey were unemployed, 14% work in sheltered workshops, and 25% work in community jobs. Those who are currently employed work an average of 21 hours per week and have a median annual income of $6, 516. An IRCA survey showed that of 61% of individuals (over age 18) represented in the survey were unemployed, 14% work in sheltered workshops, and 25% work in community jobs. Those who are currently employed work an average of 21 hours per week and have a median annual income of $6, 516.

What are we aiming for?

Even parents of young children need to begin to discuss long term outcomes and visions. When a student graduates from high school, it may be too late to organize effective adult options.

Ultimately, Questions to Ask: Where will the person live and with whom? Where will the person live and with whom? Where and how will the individual recreate? Where and how will the individual recreate? Where will the person work? What is the best job match? Where will the person work? What is the best job match? Will the person pursue a post-secondary education? If so, what supports should be in place? Will the person pursue a post-secondary education? If so, what supports should be in place? How will the individual be supported long-term? How will the individual be supported long-term?

These and related decisions should impact how we spend a student’s school years. There are various processes for discovering this information.

Processes Person Centered Planning Person Centered Planning MAPS MAPS Circles of Support Circles of Support

As student’s progress through high school, develop transition plans.

Transition from School to Work High Drop-Out Rates High Drop-Out Rates Low Wages Low Wages Few Job Choices Few Job Choices Limited Relationships Limited Relationships Restricted Living Options Restricted Living Options

Transition Planning Special education’s response to this bleak situation was the establishment of transition plans. Special education’s response to this bleak situation was the establishment of transition plans. Transition planning should serve multiple functions. Transition planning should serve multiple functions.

Function of Transition Plan Introduces to Adult Services Introduces to Adult Services Determines Supports Determines Supports Provides Information Provides Information Assists in the Creation of an IEP Assists in the Creation of an IEP

Transition Plan: Income Support/Insurance Income Support/Insurance Residential Programs/Support Needs Residential Programs/Support Needs Transportation Transportation Medical Needs Medical Needs Community Leisure Options Community Leisure Options Maintenance of Relationships Maintenance of Relationships Long-term Care and Planning Long-term Care and Planning Graduation or School Exit Date Graduation or School Exit Date Employment Employment Post-Secondary Options Post-Secondary Options Guardianship Guardianship

Transition Planning Students with autism spectrum disorders may be supported by considering a few strategies. Students with autism spectrum disorders may be supported by considering a few strategies.

Transition Planning Choose a curriculum or course of study that both peaks a person’s interest and leads to a real job. Consider Theory of Mind and the impact this may have on decision making. Choose a curriculum or course of study that both peaks a person’s interest and leads to a real job. Consider Theory of Mind and the impact this may have on decision making.

Transition Planning During the school years, teach skills that will have a long term impact such as self-management, organization, and following directions. During the school years, teach skills that will have a long term impact such as self-management, organization, and following directions. Encourage the student to be involved in extracurricular events to broaden their social network and understanding. Encourage the student to be involved in extracurricular events to broaden their social network and understanding.

Transition Planning Pursue apprenticeship programs, volunteer positions, and other options to gain experience in real world situations. Pursue apprenticeship programs, volunteer positions, and other options to gain experience in real world situations. Begin to build a resume. Begin to build a resume. Gradually prepare the individual for the nuances and social demands of the work environment. Gradually prepare the individual for the nuances and social demands of the work environment. Teach hygiene. Teach hygiene.

Transition Planning Teach the person a menu of social interchanges around appropriate topics. Teach about the obvious and the hidden rules. Teach the person a menu of social interchanges around appropriate topics. Teach about the obvious and the hidden rules. Prepare potential work sites. Work in educating your community. Prepare potential work sites. Work in educating your community. Consider logistics of potential job (e.g., transportation). Consider logistics of potential job (e.g., transportation).

Considerations Embed Related Services/Communication Skills Embed Related Services/Communication Skills Focus on Generalization of All Skills (e.g., Social Skills) Focus on Generalization of All Skills (e.g., Social Skills) Teach Behaviors that Will Lead to Adult Success…Choose Battles Early Teach Behaviors that Will Lead to Adult Success…Choose Battles Early See Your Child as An Adult, Regardless of Age See Your Child as An Adult, Regardless of Age Do Not Nurture Dependency Via Staff Do Not Nurture Dependency Via Staff Again, Balance Accommodating with Assimilating Again, Balance Accommodating with Assimilating

Consider long term supports for the family and the individual.

Having a long-term vision for your son/daughter or student can save time, energy and heartache latter on, and better prepare the individual for a successful adulthood.