( Everyday Life with Autism )

You’re so proud your child is in high school and keeps progressing! Thanks to all you’ve done in cooperation with schools’ staff and the valuable services she has received. Now, what’s next?

• Planning should start at least two years prior to graduating high school.
• Continue setting goals and objectives by involving your child in the plan.
• Your child knows by now what she would like to do and what not to do.
• Help her narrow down the choices, so you can all focus on the main goal.
• Be your child’s advocate, convince the IEP team to always include your child in designing and developing her future plan!
• Your child is highly encouraged to attend the IEP meeting and participate in creating a plan for her own future.
• Teach your child to become her own self-advocate.
• The new IEP will then emerge as a Transition Plan (TP).
• A Transition Plan should consider all the strengths, interests, vocations, passions, and preferences of your child.
• By getting her involved in drafting the TP, she’ll feel more responsible and proactive.
• Request the services and personnel you believe are pivotal to implement the plan.
• Help your child work on a hands-on project/ job toward achieving the goals set in the TP.

You have enough time during high school to encourage your child express and practice her passions. High school is a great opportunity to help her raise her self awareness and discover all her qualities.

Know your rights here!

Tip 1

Regardless of what your child’s plan is, make sure to get her granted all the services and benefits she’ll need before leaving high school.

Tip 2

From a very early age train your child to volunteer or work on jobs, no matter how simple they are. The value of having a job is to establish some very important ethics like having discipline, respecting a schedule, working with a team, and taking responsibility.

Here is a great resource to help you explore with your child all the options available that match her interests and capabilities.

Employment of adults with autism

Watch the video.

nadia shanab

Tags: After high school, asperger's syndrome, autism, consequences, discipline, early intervention, employment, IEP, independence, organization, parenting, schedule, Temple Grandin, Transition Plan