Step 1: Start Career Planning
Independence in adulthood requires earned income. A career with a competitive income will start your teen on the path to financial independence. If your teen has not identified a career path, now is the time to start exploring options and establishing career goals. Setting clear career goals will provide a foundation for the next steps in your teen’s journey.
- Begin by exploring your teen's interests, strengths, and preferences. Check out our blog, “Helping Your Autistic Teen Find Employment” for tools, quizzes, and resources for finding a rewarding career.
- Set aside time with your teen to brainstorm career ideas and research career possibilities. The sky is the limit during your brainstorming sessions. Think about all possibilities and encourage your teen to research more information about the educational and skill requirements for careers of interest.
- Collaborate with guidance counselors, teachers, and occupational therapists to identify potential career paths that align with your teen’s abilities.
- Encourage your teen to attend career fairs, participate in informational interviews, and explore internship opportunities. Research upcoming career fairs in your area. Many cities and states offer large and small career fairs during this time to help teens prepare for life after graduation. Your teen can attend career fairs to learn about future opportunities.
- Reach out to your friends and family about scheduling an informational interview with your teen about their chosen careers. Preparing for and conducting an informational interview will expand your teen’s network and improve interviewing and communication skills.
Step 2: Develop Life Skills for Independence
Do you have a goal for your teen to live independently or to be as independent with daily living skills as possible? If so, now is the time to start building the skills for independent living.
- Focus on developing life skills that will empower your teen to independently navigate daily challenges. Teach essential skills such as time management, budgeting, meal planning, and personal hygiene. Gradually increase responsibilities and encourage decision-making to foster confidence and self-sufficiency.
- Help your teen develop independent living skills with daily and consistent practice. Read more about building healthy habits for adulthood on our blog. Create a habit tracker to measure daily progress.
Step 3: Find Vocational Training Opportunities
Investigate vocational training programs tailored to your teen's interests and abilities. These programs can provide specialized skills and hands-on experience in various industries. Look for opportunities that offer a supportive environment, accommodating the unique needs of autistic individuals. Vocational training can open doors to fulfilling employment opportunities post-graduation.
- Look for apprenticeship opportunities in your state. Some programs, such as Arizona’s Apprenticeship program, pay your teen during the learning period. Apprenticeships are an opportunity to learn in a supportive environment, while building your teens network and developing future job opportunities.
- Look for Job Corps training programs in your state. Job Corps programs are free training programs for eligible individuals.
Step 4: Develop Pre-Employment Skills
Equip your teen with the skills necessary for success in the workplace. This includes effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
- Role-play common workplace scenarios.
- Engage your teen in volunteer opportunities to practice pre-employment skills. Volunteer opportunities can be long-term engagements or one-day events, like volunteering for a food bank.
- Enroll your teen in workshops or courses that focus on building these essential pre-employment skills. Your local library will have free events on resume building, interviewing techniques, and other pre-employment skills. Researching, planning for, and attending a pre-employment workshop will also help your teen develop pre-employment skills for job success.
Step 5: Start College Planning
For those considering higher education, college planning at this early stage will help you set your teen up for success.
- Consider community colleges to transition successfully into higher education learning. Community colleges offer excellent programs and supportive environments to help teens transition to higher education. The professors tend to be more supportive in helping teens navigate the post-secondary environment. Community colleges offer clubs and other campus activities to help build friendships. Classes are smaller, allowing professors to deliver more individual attention to students. Your teen can use the community college as a supportive (and affordable) bridge to a four-year university.
- Consider whether your teen will enroll in full time classes or part time classes. College is different from high school, so crafting a customized transition plan will set your teen up for success. For example, the schoolwork demands outside of the classroom may require more time. Be creative in thinking about how many credits your teen can take without becoming overwhelmed.
- Attend college fairs, schedule campus visits, and explore available resources such as academic accommodations and counseling services.
- Visit the school's disability support services office to learn more about the reasonable accommodations to support your teen’s academic success.
Step 6: Create an Emotional Support and Well-Being Plan
Throughout this journey, prioritize your teen's emotional well-being. Graduation and the transition to adulthood can be overwhelming, and it is essential to provide a supportive and understanding environment.
- Create a written plan or strategies for emotional regulation. Use the strategies your teen has found helpful in the past. Brainstorm new strategies with your teen. Encourage your teen to reference the plan often and use the strategies when feeling dysregulated or overwhelmed.
- Encourage open communication, address concerns, and celebrate achievements, no matter how small.
- Consider seeking support from an occupational therapist who specializes in assisting families with autistic teens with transitions to adulthood.
Conclusion:
As graduation day approaches, take proactive steps to prepare your autistic teen for the exciting journey ahead. By focusing on career planning, life skills development, vocational training, pre-employment skills, and college planning, you will empower your teen to embrace independence and navigate the path to a fulfilling adulthood. Remember, with the right support and preparation, the possibilities are endless.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the big task of transitioning your teen to adulthood? If so, consider seeking support. Occupational therapists are professionals trained in neurodevelopment, task modification, and environmental adaptations. OTs are creative problem solvers who can help you and your teen tackle this exciting journey with a strong mindset for success. Autism Services for Teens and Young Adults are state-licensed and specially trained occupational therapists who can customize the right plan for your teen to navigate life beyond graduation. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your teen achieve life goals!
