Cheryl Hammond has been expecting this day for years. Her son, Kyle, on the verge of his 22nd birthday, will graduate from high school in June and enter the world of disability services for adults with autism. What will he and thousands of others face as they transition to adulthood?
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Teens and autism
Returning to school after summer vacation can be hard for any child, but for a student with autism, this time of year can be especially stressful. Find out what experienced parents and professionals have to say about easing those back-to-school jitters.
Few teens with autism are prepared for a vital transition, that from pediatric doctors to providers who treat adults. A smooth transition is crucial because adults with autism have more medical and psychiatric problems than other people. Find out what you can do.
Posted:
May 19, 2014
No one likes to be called a helicopter parent, that species of hovering mom or dad who is overly involved in their children's lives. But what happens when you have a child with autism, a child who does need more help?
Posted:
May 19, 2014
No one likes to be called a helicopter parent, that species of hovering mom or dad who is overly involved in their children's lives. But what happens when you have a child with autism, a child who does need more help?
Regardless of where a student falls on the autism spectrum, whether he was valedictorian or left high school without a diploma, there is a college program for him. But it will take a little research to find the right fit. Here are some resources and tips that can help.
Many students struggle to adjust to the challenges of college: dorms, independence, tough classes and a new social world. But for people with autism, the transition can be more dramatic. How should they prepare?
A "surprising" number of teens with autism struggle with daily living skills — hygiene, riding a bus, shopping or preparing a meal — regardless of intelligence. Experts say it's important to focus on teaching such skills as a key to independence.
The road to adulthood officially begins for many teens when they graduate. But for people with autism, leaving high school is a more monumental step, one that will transform their relationship to services and supports.
In this video, Dr. Peter Gerhardt discusses the skills that people with autism need to acquire for adulthood. The skills include safety, hygiene, employment, social competence, decision-making, self-management and communication.