Bridge the Gap Between High School and Adulthood with Transition Programs
Increase Soft Skills and More On the Road Towards Independence
Even though my business name is The Autism College Connection, more often than not, my clients need information about the alternatives to college. Too many students aren’t quite ready yet for the academics or the independence of a typical college program. And that’s okay!
Parents need to hear that not all students need to go to college. There are good alternatives. Students should not feel marginalized by choosing another path.
Last night, I gave a webinar to parents about transition programs, which are special schools or programs that prepare students for their next steps in life — college, employment, day programs, or a mix of all. Here’s the full video of the webinar on my YouTube channel. Today, on this newsletter, I’ll share some highlights.
Transition programs can be one option for students who need more help on the way to their next path in life -- employment, college, or day programs. They can be offered in traditional public schools and at public regional programs. Private schools offer both commuter and residential programs. Some colleges are now offering transition programs, too
What makes a good transition program?
It's a program that works for YOUR kid. It helps advance your young person’s goals. The program should offer individualized curriculum for each child, based on their interests, strengths, and needs. The program should employ experienced, qualified staff and utilize effective, evidence-based practices. Parents should shop for a program that best meets their child’s needs.
How Transition Programs Can Help Students With Autism?
While transition programs may not be appropriate for every student with an IEP, they often benefit students with autism. Autistic student typically need extra help with functional skills, behaviors, and independent living skills. They need more help with soft skills before taking their next steps. If the student has strong academic skills, they might take community college classes in the evening, while working on soft skills during the day at their transition program.
What Do Transition Programs Do? Employment Support
Employment preparation is an important piece of all transition programs, though not all programs provide the same level of service. Some programs work on resume development, interview practice, and career exploration. They might cover work-based social norms, like approprate clothing, timelines, and breaks. Many offer internships with support from job coaches.
What Do Transition Programs Do? Community Integration
Living in a community is an important part of a transition program and a big shift from K-12 academics. Students will learn where to wait for a bus or a train, how to read a travel schedule, and practice buying tickets. They’ll learn how to walk through town safely. They will interact with the police and fire personnel to increase familiarity and reduce anxiety. They’ll learn how to order food at local restaurants. They’ll take trips to places that they’ll visit in the future for entertainment or utility, like the library, post office, movie theater, museums, and shopping center.
What Do Transition Programs Do? Academics and College Support
Transition programs get away from the science, math, English, social studies system of high schools. Instead, they focus on functional academics, like calculating the tip at a restaurant or reading a job application, not all transition programs offer help with college. Some programs offer college support for students who can semi-independently manage college academics. They’ll transport the students to the local community college, help them register for classes, and show them how to organize their homework assignments for the week.
What Do Transition Programs Do? Develop Soft Skills
Transition programs understand that students need to develop their soft skills before they begin college or work. They offer social group classes, like the PEERs Program. Because these programs are much less academically structured, staff can work on generalizing those skills all day, in a variety of settings. They can increase executive functioning with academics and daily schedules. They can teach students how to communicate effectively with bosses, professors, and co-workers. They’ll work on problem solving, like thinking through real life situations. (What do you do if your toilet is clogged?)
What Do Transition Programs Do? Foster Independence
We all want our kids to be independent or independent-ish in the future. Transition programs help to foster those long term goals. As adults, we all need to exercise, so these programs will help students learn how to use the equipment at the gym. They might offer lessons on nutrition. They’ll make frequent trips to the supermarket to buy supplies for the classroom, where they might do a cooking lesson. Some programs teach students how to do their own laundry and manage money.
Public School Transition Programs
Transition programs can be found at public and private schools. According to IDEA, public schools have to educate students with IEPs who have significant functional needs. Many students with autism qualify, even those without intellectual disabilities. To qualify for a public school program, the student would have to put off accepting a formal high school diploma until 21. They can walk through the graduation service and get a diploma, but it won’t be official yet.
Public school transition programs are good because they are free, and we like free. The students retain their IEP. They'll be taught by a certified teacher. A local program keeps the students in their community, where they can build long-term network. Students can be a place to increase skills, while parents complete disability paperwork and set up the next plans.
Some local program are too small with too many different types of students in one room, making common lessons difficult. I tend to prefer regional programs, because they can offer more opportunities for students, while still staying local.
Private Transition Programs
There are some amazing private transition programs in our country. Students learn on green campuses and live in dorms. With 24/7 supervision, students have more time to grow and learn. The programs offer parents help as they look for long term programs for their students and apply for state benefits. Of course, high quality services comes with a hefty price tag.
Riverview in Cape Cod, MA has a transition program, called GROW – Getting Ready for the Outside World. It provides practical academics and focuses on social, vocational, and independence living skills. With evening webinars and other events, the school prepares families for life after graduation. It is residential, with dorms. Some students might take classes at Cape Cod Community College. Students have various work opportunities. They learn to cook, manage a home, and take public transportation. A full year program with room and board costs $104,000 per year.
College Transition Programs
College programs are also beginning to offer their own transition programs. Their focus is on college bound students.
The Thames Program at Mitchell College in New London, CT is a popular program. The typical student at Thames is neurodivergent and seeks independence. The program integrates academic and soft skills. Students work on executive functioning skills, learn strategies for success, participate in social events, and independent living skills. Courses include: Introduction to College Writing, Mathematics, Executive Functioning, and Social Seminar. The cost full year, residential: $66,300.
18-30 Programs
Some students need more help after they finish a transition program that ends at age 21. They might continue with another transition program that focuses on older students. Because our kids need more time before they’re ready for independence, program stacking is sometimes necessary.
These older transition programs put more emphasis on independent living. Some create long-term communities, where the graduates continue to live in local apartments and still attend some social gatherings.
CIP supports students aged 18-26. The typical student is motivated, with low average to high intelligence, and has the potential for independence. They might have autism, ADHD, or dyslexia. They must be emotionally and behaviorally stable. The school has five locations accross the country. Students live in apartments, a short distance from the main building where they take classes and take buses to college or work. Tuition and fees. $70,000-$80,000
