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Transitioning Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This manual was inspired by the incredible tenacity and courage of all families who are supporting the growth and development of their children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

With promising scientific research underway on autism, and many resources readily available to families of younger children, there is a decided lack of clear information and guidance available on the transition to adult living. This manual is intended to fill the gap by providing concise insight on the key considerations and timeline for this part of the journey.

We are optimistic that parents can embrace this material to constructively create a safe and meaningful context for their young adult's life. Further, we know that care providers, educators, community and government agencies are most responsive when families are knowledgeable and proactive advocates. We dedicate this manual to all who are contributing their expertise and compassion to meeting the needs of this diverse and growing population
of young people.

Deirdre B. Phillips
Executive Director
Autism Consortium


Acknowledgements

The Autism Consortium would like to thank the many clinicians and staff from our partner institutions: Boston Medical Center, Children’s Hospital Boston, Lurie Family Autism Center/LADDERS at Massachusetts General Hospital, Tufts Medical Center and UMASS Memorial Hospital. In particular, we’d like to acknowledge the contributions of the Division of Developmental Medicine at Children's Hospital Boston, especially Dr. Alison Schonwald and Sandra Maislen.

We particularly thank the following people for their contributions to the content and editing of this manual: Stephanie Porter, RN, Linda Freeman, MBA, MS, Stelios Gragoudas, EdD, William Kiernan, PhD, MBA, Melanie Jordan and Maria Paiewonsky, EdD, Institute for Community Inclusion, Leah Abrams, MBA, Yesodot/JVS, Samuel Senft, JD, MPH, Medical Legal Partnership, Barbara Jackins, JD, John F. Raycroft, MetLife Center for Special Needs Planning/Baystate Financial Services, Michelle S. Alkon, SM, Maria Trozzi, MEd, The Good Grief Program and Alexa McCray, PhD.

We also thank our many parents and teens who contributed to this manual and who provide us daily sources of inspiration.

The work of the Autism Consortium is funded by visionary donors committed to the belief that by working together in new ways we can rapidly advance our understanding, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. We thank all of our donors who support Consortium programs and are especially grateful to the Nancy Lurie Marks Foundation for their generous support of the Family Support Network and the creation of this manual.

Writers

Lindsay Prichard, MSW, LICSW
Shari King, MA
Bernadette Murphy Bentley, MPA
Kelly Hurley
Julie O’Brien, MEd, LMHC

Autism Consortium Staff

Deirdre Phillips, Executive Director
Stephanie Loranger, PhD, Associate Director
Joan Hamilton

Board of Directors

Peter Barrett, PhD, Chair
Alan Crane, Vice Chair
John Graham, Secretary
Paul Marcus, Treasurer
James Gusella, PhD
Deirdre Phillips, Executive Director
Edward Scolnick, MD
Mriganka Sur, PhD
Christopher Walsh, MD, PhD
Susan Whitehead