Strategies and support to help teens and young adults as well as their families during key stages in life such as puberty, transitioning after high school, training, community living, independent living, housing, etc.
A tale of an autistic adolescent boy going through life’s natural changes when change is his worst enemy. 4:53am: ”Mom?” A low whisper from my 12-year-old son. I give no response. “MOM!!” A louder whisper I can’t ignore. Here we go. I fly out of bed, through the dark (I’m a veteran to navigating the
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Liz Kametz, MS
Understanding your older child’s sexual identity and desires isn’t always easy. Meet one family that has successfully navigated this journey. Understanding our place in the world is difficult enough; trying to understand our human sexuality can make it even more difficult. This article is designed to help families of young people on the spectrum gain
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Lt. Joseph Pangaro, CPM, CSO, MOI
When seeking employment, a person diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder can wonder about the interview process, job training, and can you be fired for being autistic? There are times when social awkwardness and lack of eye contact and what are considered social norms can make interactions with customers and coworkers difficult and uncomfortable. There are
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Donnesa McPherson, AAS
Supporting our children through puberty can be challenging, but there is hope! As parents, our main focus is the health and happiness of our children. For our children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the list of needs to ensure those things can be a bit longer. Milestones are one aspect of our kids with autism’s
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Rachel Andersen
Imagine you are the owner of a company and just hired some amazing job candidates, some neurodiverse, autism being one person represented, and you want to have a happy, balanced, and comfortable work environment that also supports the work of the autistic adults. You already know that your place of work has a supportive environment
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Donnesa McPherson, AAS
For parents of neurotypical children and neurodivergent children alike, some things are universal. We all want our kids to be happy, healthy, and loved, and we all worry—a lot. One of the biggest concerns we may have for our kids can be how they will handle romantic relationships, sex, and the social aspects of dating
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Rachel Andersen
An article, in a parenting magazine about intimate or romantic relationships…groan…in this context, many parents would rather not talk about sex. But, open and honest conversations about sex, specifically when it comes to sexuality in neurodivergent individuals is a conversation that could keep your autistic adolescent safe—and make them feel seen. Your neurodivergent child is
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Yolande Loftus, BA, LLB
They say childhood is fleeting, and it’s true. Just five months ago, my son turned 18. I still can’t believe it. Contrary to what our kids often think, they usually don’t leave the family home or stop having to listen to us the very second they enter adulthood. The reality is, independence doesn’t always mean
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Rachel Andersen
Johnny, my son, my oldest, the first one of my children to start learning to drive, sat behind the wheel. Beside him, in the passenger’s seat, my heart skipped a beat; our roles were reversed for the very first time. Pride mixed with nostalgia, mixed with fear, and then accompanied my deep inhale as I
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Rachel Andersen
What are the concerns of parents with children on the spectrum for life after high school? It is finally here—senior year! Senior year is the most momentous year in a student’s high school journey. What will the next phase of life look like after high school? Every decision in your child’s senior year determines their
in General, Transitioning to Adulthood by Kendra Pittman Smith, BSc
Autism dating can be quite a daunting and challenging part of growing up for both the people with autism and their parents. People that are on the autism spectrum often misread body language, lack scripting and appropriate skills to initiate relationships, and cannot always communicate what is on their minds. Activities like speed dating can
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Donnesa McPherson, AAS
A pediatrician shares advice on applying for Deputyship/Guardianship for parents of autistic children in the UK. There will come a time when your child becomes an adult. In the UK, the legal age for an adult is 18 years. When your son or daughter reaches this age, he or she becomes legally responsible for his/her
in General, Transitioning to Adulthood by Professor May Ng, MBBS (Hons) FHEA FRCPCH SFFMLM MSc LLM PhD MBA
Learn about SN Inclusion’s initiative to provide free career technical education (CTE) for neurodiverse individuals. Since being involved in a transformative internship at an autism intervention program at Chengdu’s Hospital for Women and Children, Isabella He, a junior at Mission San Jose High School in Fremont, California, has been dedicating her efforts to the neurodiverse
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Isabella He
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” This question is first posed to youngsters before they even reach first grade and continues in some form for years to come. Those words can make parents of children with autism cringe. We are not sure what lies ahead for our children in the years
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Lisa Lane and Susan Sachs
An autism mom shares her son’s journey to adulthood and provides suggestions for other parents of children on the spectrum. When my son, John, was diagnosed with autism at age three, all my focus was on early intervention and educational goals that would hopefully prepare him for a regular school setting. Once he entered the
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Dottie Davis
As parents, we are naturally protective of our children at every stage of their life, but some of the toughest years are when a child reaches adolescence, and in my opinion, this is particularly challenging for parents of young girls. It is likely a preteen/teenage girl on the autism spectrum may have a more difficult
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Kendra Pitman Smith
From cooking to cleaning, find out how you can teach your child with autism the necessary skills for everyday life. I am often asked when parents should start preparing their children and young adults with autism for launching into independence. The simple answer is now. The longer answer: it is never too early to start
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Sara Colorosa, PhD
Here are 13 effective ways to support an autistic college student, suitable for implementation by parents and teachers alike. 1. Study autism The more you know about autism, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions for your child or students. Ask questions and educate yourself about different treatment options. Both parents and teachers
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Ashley Simmons
As a child, Tiffany Fixter gravitated towards helping people with special needs and desired to be a teacher, so she went on to attend Northwest Missouri State University, earning a degree in Elementary Education and then a master’s in Special Education/Autism Spectrum Disorders from University of Kansas. For the next seven years, Tiffany taught students
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Sandison, MDiv
If you researched the definition for the word “superhero,” you would find many explanations ranging from fictional to non-fictional characters. My personal definition would include the non-fictional characters. My husband would top that list for many reasons, but the two superheroes I would like to share with you today are my two sons. My son
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Teresia Dulaney
While parents in general might spend time worrying about what their child’s college major will be, parents of children with autism and other differences are focused on where and how their children are going to live. Today, there are a greater number of students living with significant disabilities and residing at home with their families
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Karen Kaplan, MS
All children grow up. No diagnosis stops puberty in its tracks. No person, regardless of his/her abilities and needs, has immunity from the raging hormones of teenage years. Society has a tendency to label individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as being asexual, without sexual desire, or infantile. Although this is the case for some
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Rachel Schwartz, PhD, BCBA-D
They say it takes a village to raise a child, but in the case of a student with special needs, it takes an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) team. At the age of 16, students with an IEP are considered part of the team. They are expected to attend their educational meetings and advocate for themselves.
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Crystal Gallagher
As a pediatric endocrinologist, this is an area of my expertise in my daily work. The early changes of puberty usually occur between the ages of 9 to 13 years. They are noticeable in girls by the budding of breasts and then pubic hair, with menstrual periods starting between 11 to 14 years of age.
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Professor May Ng, MBBS (Hons), FHEA, FRCPCH, MSc, LLM, PhD
We entered through the glass doors and were swept along with the crowd up escalators, down long hallways lined with multicolored fluorescent light tubes hung as art. People walked in pairs, groups of three, parents with their teens, groups of teens. We walked down a tunnel lined with pink and yellow glass through which we
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Wendy McGuire, MSW, RSW, PhD
Menstruation can be a scary and overwhelming experience, especially for young people on the autism spectrum. As a woman diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, I know how imperative it is to provide the right information to parents and autistic young people to help alleviate some of the uncertainty surrounding menstruation. I spent more than two years
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Robyn Steward
As parents, we all want to have the best possible relationship with our children. Teen years can be particularly difficult, especially when your teen is on the spectrum. And no matter how much advice we get from the professionals, it is still hard to accept some of the behavioral traits of our Aspie teens. It
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Shelly Willoughby
Most parents of teens tell me they are not ready for their baby to date! No question, their teens are curious, developing sexually in a typical manner (thank you, puberty), wondering/anxious about dating, and are truly considering the possibility of dating. Before we get to the horrors and anxieties of dating, let’s recall some of
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Rachel Bédard, PhD
My son Ryan entered puberty way ahead of schedule, and I was caught by surprise scrambling to create strategies to help navigate his increased need for a basic daily hygiene regimen. What I needed was a buy-in from him: a plan to get Ry excited about cleanliness and a method to point him down the
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Kimberly Reeves, MEd
David Petrovic, my son, is a 24-year-old middle school teacher with autism and Tourette syndrome who graduated cum laude and loved his college experience. He and I joined forces and found what worked for him. Seeking to help others in their same quest, David and I have co-authored our life journey and have evolved to
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Sandy Petrovic
Dear Rob, I have an 18-year-old teen daughter who has stopped talking to us, her parents, and has become socially isolated. She graduated from high school and is taking a gap year. I feel desperate and we must rely on ourselves to help her because we can’t afford professional help. — Marlene Dear Marlene: This
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Rob Bernstein, MAEd
As the years have progressed in my career working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, I have had the privilege to work with more and more teenagers. I have met some remarkable young men and women with autism who have taught me a lot, and I have had the honor of
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Sarah Kupferschmidt, MA, BCBA
As a parent of a teen or young adult on the autism spectrum, you have probably had to focus most of your attention on getting all the pieces in place to ensure your student has a successful transition. Whether your son or daughter is going to college, entering the workplace, or learning to live independently,
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Sharona Sommer, CPC
I am a single dad raising my autistic daughter. Can you give me any advice on educating her and helping her navigate puberty and her menstrual cycle? I’m lost! —Tony Hey Tony, I first want to applaud you for understanding the importance of helping guide your daughter through this transition into womanhood! All girls need
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Angelina M., MS, BCBA, LMFT
Life is filled with challenges for all of us, and for kids on the spectrum, the challenges can be even more difficult. As anyone who has experience with the spectrum knows, we often concern ourselves with education and social interaction as main goals for helping our kids. After all, life is made up of one
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Lt. Joseph Pangaro, CPM, CSO, MOI
An interview with Dr. Tony Attwood, Ph.D. AS/ASD expert In a previous article for Autism Parenting Magazine, I addressed erasing the prejudice of violence associated with individuals on the autism spectrum. Although it is important to erase that growing prejudice, I mentioned that it would be negligent not to discuss the possibility of special interests
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Rev. Stephanie C. Holmes, MA, BCCC
Fifteen-year-old Chris Furches is an accomplished motocross racer indoors and out. At the age of 10, Chris got his first ATV. It was a gift from his grandparents and it was obvious he was a natural talent on it. A year later he saw his first MX race and asked if he could try racing.
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Megan Brown
Today there are more options than ever before for adults and young adults living independently with autism. Programs and centers have opened in many different places across the United States, giving many people access to their benefits, assistance, and services. The programs focus on helping adults of all ages with autism acquire the necessary skills
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Megan Kelly
Leslie: So we are here today with Janet Grillo, and she is the writer, director and producer of the independent film, “Fly Away”. The movie explores the relationship between a mother and her teenage autistic daughter. The film has attained some rave reviews so far. Thank you for joining us today Janet! Janet Grillo: Well,
in Transitioning to Adulthood by Leslie Burby
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