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Integrating Evidence-Based Models to Educate Adolescents with Autism
Educating adolescents with autism spectrum disorder require specialized programming that takes into account their complex learning characteristics. While certain practices have been shown to be effective in educating students on the spectrum; historically, the field has been vulnerable to claims of...
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Social and Emotional Learning: Transitioning to Adulthood
Social and emotional learning is a complex process in which children and adults acquire and utilize skills that are necessary to interact with oneself and others in a positive manner. Core competencies for individuals to learn include managing one’s emotions, setting and achieving positive life...
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Tools for Successful Healthcare Transition
Transition from adolescence to adulthood affects many areas of life including health, education and training, employment, living situation, and possibly guardianship. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents unique diagnostic and medical management challenges throughout a person’s lifespan. As...
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The Road to Adulthood: Planning and Preparing for Transition
For families of adolescents with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, planning for the future may seem particularly daunting. Parents are often faced with questions about what lies ahead for their son or daughter as they prepare to “age out” of their school district and...
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Next Stop, Adulthood: A Framework for Effective Transition Planning for Students with Severe Disabilities
It is imperative for school professionals such as special education teachers, general education teachers, guidance counselors, and other school personnel to be knowledgeable of the secondary-transition planning process for students with severe disabilities to better meet the needs of their students...
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Family and Professional Partnerships Optimize Successful Transitions to Adulthood
The Centers for Disease Control noted that from 1994 to 2005, the number of children ages 6–21 years receiving services for autism increased from 22,664 to 193,637 nationally. This explosive increase in the number of children identified with an autism spectrum disorder sounds a warning for the...
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The Crisis of Incompetency
During the past several years you have undoubtedly read about what some have called an “autism crisis” or “autism Tsunami” referring to the increasingly large population of children who are diagnosed with autism that are aging to adulthood. Is this the actual “crisis” we should be...
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Functional Skills Training for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
The acquisition and maintenance of functional skills are among the most important educational targets for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Functional skills are the skills we possess that allow us to take care of ourselves and function independently in our natural environment. For most...
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Leaving the Family Home: Opportunities and Obstacles for Autistic Adults
When we think about the future of individuals on the autism spectrum, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Who will help them create their weekly schedule? Where will they work? How will they connect with friends? Who will assume the daily support role once parents can no longer provide...
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8 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Autism Diagnosis at 22
At the age of twenty-two, I was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, commonly known as “Asperger’s Syndrome.” On the autism spectrum, high-functioning individuals with autism generally don’t have developmental delays that are common in other parts of the spectrum. High-functioning autism...
