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About the Author |
| Carolyn T. Bruey, Psy.D., BCBA has been working with children with ASD and their families for the past thirty years. She is currently the onsite administrator of a public school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, serving children with autism who exhibit significant challenging behaviors. Mary Beth Urban, M.Ed. is a special education teacher and special education consultant for secondary programs. Her twenty-one years of experience have included a variety of responsibilities related to developing transition services for students with autism and other developmental disabilities. |
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The authors of The Autism Transition Guide know how overwhelming it can be for parents of students on the autism spectrum to think about what will happen when their son or daughter graduates from high school and leaves the familiar supports of special education behind. That's why Bruey and Urban wrote this practical guide to transition planning--a road map for families, educators, counselors, and transition specialists to navigating this crucial, sometimes tricky journey from high school to adult life.
Federal law requires that a transition plan be in place by the time a child reaches age 16; Bruey and Urban believe starting at age 12 to 14 is even better because goals are more likely to be met. The following are key areas they advise parents to plan for:
- Residential choices
- Postsecondary education
- Employment
- Recreation and leisure activities
Additional considerations include:
- Who should be on the transition team
- Getting transition goals into the IEP
- Evaluating and assessing your child's skills
- Involving your child in the process
- Sequence of changes (e.g., should he get a job before moving out of the house?)
- When your child no longer qualifies for IDEA assistance
The Transition Portfolio Planning Tool, a detailed template, is designed to help put plans into action and keep everyone moving forward. Use this form to track what needs to be done to reach transition goals in a variety of areas, including employment, education, and communication, social, and daily living skills.
The Autism Transition Guide is a must-have resource for families and professionals, providing ideas and strategies that can be applied to a broad range of individuals on the autism spectrum--from the college-bound student to the student who requires 24-hour supervision to succeed. No matter what the particular destination may be for your child or student, this guide can help make sure he or she reaches it.
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