Bridging the Gap between Adolescence & Adulthood: The Importance of Transitional Services for Individuals with Autism

Transitions can often be difficult for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or developmental disabilities and their families, from the time they entered pre-kindergarten and on. But the transition from adolescence and K-12 education to adulthood may be the most daunting for families, with the routines and steady support system of their K-12 schools coming to an end. To help individuals on the spectrum prepare for their next chapter, whether it’s entering the workforce, vocational school or college, there are resources that families can take advantage of as early as the pre-teen years.

Saint Joseph’s University’s experts Jessica Joseph, Ph.D, BCBA, director of programs at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support, and Cheryl George, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Special Education at Saint Joseph’s, hear about various transitional services and how parents and educators can help teens and pre-teens gain lifelong skills and tools for success. They discuss how transition preparation can be integrated into a teen’s everyday life, how the role of caregivers and educators change with time, and how to be supportive to individuals with autism and those with differing abilities throughout their lives. This conversation is moderated by David Werner ’20