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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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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....
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Finding Strength in Stress: An Autistic Author’s Journey Through Crisis and Recovery
I wish I could tell you that I don’t ever stress as an autistic person. I wish that I could tell you that I am a professional and that I have mastered the art of destressing and staying calm, but the truth is I stress. Ever since I was a kid dealing with stress has never come easy for me as an...
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When School Ends: The Hidden Crisis Facing Adults with Profound Autism
For nearly two decades, our mornings have been marked by the familiar sound of a school bus pulling up in front of our home. The doors hiss open, followed by a greeting from the bus driver as they pull Philip’s wheelchair onto the platform. The bus would rumble away, leaving behind a silence that...
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My Son Turns 21: Autism, Milestones, and Growing Up
The restaurant is busy. Someone at the table behind us laughs loudly. Outside, a spring drizzle falls from the sky. May. A fickle month in New England. Yellow sun one day, metallic clouds the next. My son Jack sits next to his father. He studies the menu, sliding his finger along the drink...
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Anderson Family Partners: Extended Family, Redefined
For Colleen Contreni, Family Liaison at Anderson Center for Autism, the concept of ‘extended family’ has long inspired her work. “I have always been a very family-oriented person, and this role at Anderson is a reminder that by cultivating a spirit of kinship among parents, caregivers, and...
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“Reflecting on the Journey” – A Retreat for Parents of Autistic Family Members
This past year marked the 25th anniversary year of our annual weekend retreat for parents of young and adult autistic individuals. This innovative family support activity has become a highlight of the year for us, and for many of the approximately 60 parents of autistic family members who join us...
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Services for the UnderServed’s Positive Psychology Approach to Serving People in Crisis and Their Families
Since 2016, Service for the UnderServed’s START/CSIDD (Crisis Services for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities) Program offers crisis prevention and response services to people who have both developmental disabilities and complex behavioral needs and their families and...
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Strategies for Navigating College for Students with Autism
College is a transformative period in a young adult's life, offering a platform for growth, self-discovery, and academic achievement. However, for students on the autism spectrum, navigating the challenges of college life can be particularly overwhelming. College students with autism spectrum...
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Listening is Key to Supporting Families and Caregivers and Leads to Better Outcomes
Supporting families and caregivers is a lifelong learning process as children and young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) typically undergo many changes. When providing workshops to families about accessing services, I began to consider the question of how we can support them further, as...
