-
The Importance of Proactive Sexuality Education for the Autistic Population
For most adults, an important quality of life factor is romantic/sexual relationships. Autistic individuals are no different. However, they are less likely to receive sexual education in a proactive framework than their neurotypical peers (e.g., Sala et al., 2019). When sexual education is provided...
-
Supporting the College-Bound Autistic Student: A Need for Better Transition Planning
For autistic individuals, success in college lies in an effective transition plan that acknowledges and addresses the increased challenges they will face as college students. According to a national study, 34% of autistic students who qualified for a post-secondary education program attended such a...
-
Use of a Specialized PBIS Framework to Organize and Deliver Evidence-Based Practices to Children with Autism
A significant challenge facing autism service providers is the effective and consistent delivery of evidence-based practices to the children they serve. A number of research reviews, including the National Standards Project (Rue, Knox, Welchons, Murzycki, Pollack, & Class, 2015) and the...
-
The Importance of Community-Based Instruction for Individuals with Autism Across the Lifespan
When looking toward the future, most parents hope their children will be happy, healthy, and enjoy a satisfying quality of life. For families with a child with autism, this desire is no different. The Autism Society of America identified nine key indicators to consider for assessing and improving...
-
Early Start: Preparing Adolescents for the Transition Years
The transition years prepare adolescents for life as an adult, including living as independently as possible, securing and maintaining employment and effectively interacting in the community. Children with autism spectrum disorders approaching adolescence and their families are faced with great...
-
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...
-
What Parents Should Consider When Evaluating School Programs for their Child with Autism
One of the greatest challenges that parents of children with disabilities face is finding the most appropriate educational program. When looking for a school for a child with autism, the parents' task often is complex and difficult, but understanding instructional and social variables will help in...
