Transition is the movement from one stage of life to another. Adolescents living with autism have their own unique strengths and challenges. Parents and caregivers want their children to be happy and healthy and to lead fulfilling lives. We believe that all individuals with autism, regardless of the level of support needed, should be able to live lives that are filled with dignity, choice and happiness. The video below features Colleen Dolnick and her son Seamus,12, and hightlights the hopes and dreams that she and Seamus have for his future.
The purpose of this website is to give families, self-advocates, teachers, health care providers and other professionals an introduction to the process of planning for the transition from adolescence to adulthood. It is also meant to provide resources and options to consider for the future.
The resources provided here address the following:
General guidance about the process of planning for the transition from adolescence to adulthood
How youth can be involved in the transition planning process
Key contacts to make during the transition process
A roadmap of resources in the areas of community living, health and safety, emergency preparedness, education and training, employment and adult services and benefits planning
Given the diverse population of those who experience autism, it is unlikely that all of the information presented here will be relevant to all young adults on the spectrum, but hopefully viewers will find at least some of the information to be useful when planning for adulthood.
As you navigate this site, please consider the opportunities that can exist for a successful transition to adulthood for those who have autism or other developmental disorders
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Find information on relevant transition related workshops and events on the MU Thompson Center facebook page.
What steps do you need to take to plan for the future of an individual with ASD?
Follow the roadmap to find resources that will help individuals with ASD as they transition into adult life.
Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri
205 Portland Street Columbia, Mo. 65211 | Phone: 573-882-6081 | E-mail: thompsoncenter@missouri.edu
Copyright © 2011 — Curators of the University of Missouri. All rights reserved. DMCA and other copyright information. An equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
Last updated: May 19, 2011