Launching Your
Autistic Youth
to Successful
Adulthood
Everything You Need to Know
About Promoting Independence
and Planning for the Future
Katharina Manassis
Contents
Why I can help you help your youth
Is this book relevant to my youth and our circumstances?
PART 1: Challenges and Goals for Transition
1. Challenges with the Transition to Adulthood in ASD
What you will learn in this chapter
What is lost when high school ends?
What is it like for you as a parent?
The myth that it’s easy for the high functioning
What predicts a positive transition to adulthood?
Intervention programs and case managers
2. Setting Goals: Who Defines Successful Transition?
Understanding different perspectives
Where to start with goal-setting
Why not turn this over to a professional?
Resistance and unrealistic goals
PART 2: How Can Parents Foster a Successful Transition?
Why is independence challenging and how can you help?
Promoting independence successfully
When should you advocate for your youth?
Who can help you promote independence?
Assessing specific independence skills
Teaching specific independence skills
Prioritizing and encouraging new skills
Preparing for the future in high school
How can you work effectively with high school educators?
Overcoming common obstacles to graduation
Which post-secondary option is best?
What supports are needed in my youth’s post-secondary program?
To disclose or not to disclose
