Synopses & Reviews
Autism diagnoses in young children increased dramatically in the 1990s—and now those children are young adults on the verge of a challenging transition to the real world. Every school and program will be ready to help with this groundbreaking practical guide, straight from the author of the acclaimed bestseller Life Beyond the Classroom and two community-based autism experts.
Professionals who work with young adults will get hard-to-find information on how specific social, behavioral, and cognitive characteristics of people with autism affect the transition to adulthood, exploring potential challenges and traits that can be powerful assets. Then they'll get a complete guide that walks them through every aspect of transition planning, including planning for employment and postsecondary education:
- conducting skillful assessment to determine a young person's individual career goals, job-related strengths, and independent living skills
- using well-designed instructional supports, routines, and spaces in inclusive classrooms
- implementing positive behavior support to help young adults with autism succeed in school and at work
- providing community-based instruction at naturally occurring times, so it's easier for students to learn and generalize new skills
- showing students and their families how to make the most of SSA disability benefits
- assisting students with college preparation, from choosing a college to managing academic and social demands
- using supported and/or customized employment strategies to help young people establish satisfying careers that play to their strengths
- helping young people develop critical life skills they'll use across settings
- unlocking the benefits of community services and programs, such as vocational rehabilitation programs and Centers for Independent Living
Compelling stories throughout the book illustrate how successful transition planning improved the lives of three diverse teenagers, and the practical forms, checklists, and suggested resources and links help readers put the proven strategies into action. A must for every member of the transition team—including general and special educators, transition specialists, employment specialists, and counselors—this is the ultimate resource for supporting the goals, dreams, and future success of young adults with autism.
Help young people with autism develop critical life skills in key areas:
- social skills
- health and safety
- work habits
- money management
- mobility
- recreation and leisure
- personal appearance
- and more!
Review
"Answers the vital call to plan for and maintain effective and appropriate supports and services beyond secondary school placements and into adulthood."
Synopsis
Autism diagnoses in young children increased dramatically in the 1990s--and now those children are young adults on the verge of a challenging transition to the real world. Schools will be ready to help with this groundbreaking practical guide.
Educators will get hard-to-find information on how social, behavioral, and cognitive characteristics of people with autism affect the transition to adulthood, exploring potential challenges and traits that can be powerful assets. Then they'll learn how to navigate every aspect of transition planning, including
- conducting skillful assessment
- using well-designed instructional supports, routines, and spaces in inclusive classrooms
- implementing positive behavior support to help young adults with autism succeed in school and at work
- providing community-based instruction at naturally occurring times
- assisting students with college preparation
- using supported and/or customized employment strategies to help young people establish satisfying careers
- helping young people develop critical life skills they'll use across settings
Synopsis
Highly practical resource for professionals that addresses the larger-than-ever number of adolescents and young adults with autism in need of successful transition planning.
About the Author
Elizabeth Evans Getzel, Ph.D., is Director of Postsecondary Education Initiatives with the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has extensive experience conducting research, evaluation, and training in the areas of transition planning for secondary students with disabilities, postsecondary education for students with disabilities, and career planning/employment for individuals with disabilities. She currently directs approximately $3 million of grant-funded projects focusing on supported education in postsecondary education, career development for college students with disabilities, faculty professional development focusing on universal design principles, and secondary education transition services. Her research interests include secondary education transition planning, self-determination skills of college students with disabilites, and effective services and supports for college students with disabilities. Ms. Getzel serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disabilityand is on the editorial boards for the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation and The Journal for Vocational Special Needs Education She has authored or co-authored journal articles and book chapters on transition, career development, postsecondary education, and employment. In addition, Ms. Getzel has presented extensively at state, national, and international conferences and at meetings on her projects and research areas.
Mr. Revell conducts research in the areas of state systems change and funding of competitive enrollment outcomes. He is Training Manager for the Training and Technical Assistance for Providers, a project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy, that is charged with providing technical assistance and information to improve the employment outcomes of individuals with significant disabilities and to reduce the use of subminimum wage certificates. He has worked for more than 30 years in the area of building competitive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Carol Schall, Ph.D., Director, Virginia Autism Resource Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Post Office Box 842020, Richmond, Virginia 23284
Dr. Schall is Assistant Professor of Special Education and Disability Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has been learning from and supporting individuals with autism for more than 25 years. Dr. Schall is involved in supporting individuals across Virginia through her work as the director of the Virginia Autism Resource Center. She is well versed in completing functional behavior assessments and using positive behavior supports to develop comprehensive plans for individuals from a person-centered approach. Dr. Schall is a nationally known speaker. In addition to her speaking engagements, she provides consultations to schools, families, and community services providers who support individuals with autism or related disorders. Dr. Schall’s research interests include the use of psychotropic medication by individuals with autism spectrum disorders and training for parents and professionals who work with individuals with developmental disabilities. Dr. Schall is listed in the 2005 and 2006 editions of Who’s Who in America and was honored by TASH with their Positive Approaches Award.
Marcia Datlow Smith, Ph.D., Psychologist, CSAAC, 8615 East Village Avenue, Montgomery Village, Maryland 20886
Dr. Smith is Assistant Executive Director for Programs and Psychologist at CSAAC, an agency that has supported children and adults with autism since 1979. She has designed a broad range of positive behavior supports that have allowed adolescents and adults with autism and challenging behavior to achieve community living and supported employment. In addition, she has directed federal research grants an
Table of Contents
About the Authors
About the Contributors
Preface
Acknowledgments
1: Understanding the Transition from School to Adulthood for Students with Autism
Carol Schall & Paul Wehman
2. Positive Behavior Support
Marcia Datlow Smith
3. Educational and Transition Planning
Carol Schall
4. Meeting Transition Goals Through Inclusion
Carol Schall & Jennifer McFarland-Whisman
5. Teaching Youth for Success: From Classroom to Community
Dawn R. Hendricks, Marcia Datlow Smith, & Paul Wehman
6. Navigating the World of Adult Services and Benefits Planning
Grant Revell & Lucy Axton Miller
7. Integrated Employment
Pamela Sherron Targett & Paul Wehman
8. Post Secondary Options for Students with Autism
Lori W. Briel & Elizabeth Evans Getze
9. Critical Life Skills
Marcia Datlow Smith & Pamela Sherron Targett
10. Living in the Community
Pamela Sherron Targett & Marcia Datlow Smith
Afterword
Paul Wehman, Marcia Datlow Smith, & Carol Schall
References
Resource Guide
Carol Schall
National Organizations
State Resources
Index