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Rethinking Driver Readiness: Expanding Access to Employment Through Mobility
When we talk about employment outcomes for neurodivergent adults, the conversation usually centers around job training, workplace inclusion, or employer education. Those are all important. But there is a more basic issue that often gets overlooked. Getting there. Transportation remains one of...
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The Missing Middle: Recreation Access for Autistic Adults in New York
When autistic students finish high school or college in New York, the transition into adulthood often brings unexpected loss. What disappears is not only structured support, but also access to community, hobbies, and meaningful social participation. For autistic adults without intellectual...
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Navigating Change on the Autism Spectrum: My Journey to Grad School
When you live life on the autism spectrum, it’s easy to become so used to your own patterns that you miss the problems those patterns cause. You fail to see the obstacles that keep tripping you up, and why. I want to share a story of my own pitfalls when it comes to the autistic aversion to...
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“Autism Class”: Teaching Students in K-12 Autism Schools About Who They Are
The new student looks understandably full of questions. "Hi!" I say, intentionally gregarious. "What's your name?" Which we exchange...I then give them a sly facial expression and tone—we autistics are bad at reading non-verbal communication, but we usually live long enough to learn a thing...
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Building Meaningful Lives: How Moving Forward Towards Independence Supports Neurodivergent Adults
Mac Anderson and Tom Feltenstein wrote; Change is Good... You Go First and understanding that change and the transitions it requires is a source of anxiety for much of humanity. Twenty-eight years ago, a group, all parents of neurodivergent children, were feeling the full weight of transition...
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Vocational Skill Building Improves Transition Outcomes for Young Adults with Autism and Low Vision
For many young adults, the transition from school to adulthood is a time filled with excitement and new experiences. For those with disabilities, it can also present unique challenges. Moving from a supported educational environment and accessing adult services is a big leap. What predicts greater...
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The Transition to Adulthood: Bridging Skill Gaps to Strengthen Community Inclusion
For autistic individuals, the transition to adulthood represents a pivotal developmental period filled with both potential and uncertainty. While for the most part, adolescence through special education programs often comes with robust educational supports and structured services, adulthood...
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Supporting Families Through the Transition from School to Adult Life
For families of young people with autism and developmental disabilities, the transition out of high school and into adulthood represents one of the most emotionally and practically challenging periods of the lifespan. Throughout childhood, the public education system provides structure,...
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Let Them Be: Supporting Neurodivergent Young Adults Through Independence
The transition into adulthood is a major shift for any family, but parents of autistic and neurodivergent young adults often face additional layers of complexity. You’ve spent years helping them navigate systems, environments, and expectations that weren’t always designed with them in mind. As...
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Wellbeing as a Buffer: Helping Autistic Individuals Thrive Through Life’s Transitions
Transitions are an inevitable part of life. For autistic individuals, they can also be some of the most stressful. Starting school, moving into adulthood, entering the workforce, or navigating new living arrangements can bring an array of changes - new routines, expectations, and social landscapes....
