Life transitions can be incredibly challenging for people with autism as they signal a lack of predictability and change in routine and often entail new sensory, social, and healthcare experiences. Providing support during these challenging phases is critical to the long-term well-being of autistic people. Contemporary research asserts the need for capacity-building around transition support implementation at the family, community/program, and policy levels. Further research emphasizes approaches that build awareness of strengths and challenges through communication skills most suited to each person. Self-advocacy and appropriate sexual education are also critically important in ensuring the best possible transition experiences.
Learn from expert researchers and educators how best to prepare for and support transitional phases for people with autism using the ARI articles and webinars listed below.
Additional resources from ARI and AIDE Canada are also provided.
Articles on Transitions & Autism
Transition to College
The ability to be more confident and prepared for life in a college setting is an invaluable part of transitioning into higher education. This transition can make or break how students feel about life after college and set the stage for their academic future… Discovering how to balance all aspects of college life while developing the necessary skills to live independently can be challenging for any student. This transition is even more complicated when difficulties in executive functioning and social skills come into play.
The Arts & Transition: Making It Possible
Written by Elaine Hall, aka Coach E, who is known by many through the Emmy award winning HBO documentary AUTISM: The Musical. She is an author, educator, international keynote speaker, inclusion activist, and mother to an awesome nonverbal son who types to communicate.
“… One of my very first students, a nine-year-old boy named Daniel, came to The Miracle Project after being kicked out of every other traditional acting class he had ever tried. In his first few days with us, he hid behind his mother’s back and couldn’t even enter the room. Today, he is a leader among his peers, winning dance contests in school and taking on lead roles in theatrical productions. Last summer, Daniel attended a transition to adulthood boarding school 3,000 miles from home. Although his shyness returned, instead of hiding, he used the skills he had learned from his seven years at The Miracle Project and boldly gathered his peers together, leading them to brainstorm, write, and then perform an original play…”
Webinars on Transitioning & Autism
Examining the Transition to Adulthood in Autism: Challenges and Opportunities in the Aim of Thriving
David B. Nicholas, Ph.D., examines the transition to adulthood and its implications for autistic individuals. He presents the ecosystem mentality and discusses recent findings supporting a holistic and future-oriented integrated care system. The speaker details potential areas of capacity building within post-secondary education and employment and highlights the need for cross-sector collaboration and lifelong care. Nicholas summarizes the presentation, underscoring changes in contemporary discourse, and considers future avenues of research before the Q&A session.
Transition to Adulthood
Stephen Shore, Ed.D., recounts his experiences with autism and discusses the support systems that helped him transition to adulthood and independence. He describes the ability-based approach and uses anecdotal stories to portray its potential for assisting with transitions and overall quality of life. Shore presents suggestions to help individuals find what and how to disclose and underscores the importance of finding strengths by looking at personal interests. The speaker notes difficulties in sexual experiences and education for youth with autism and reiterates the importance of self-advocacy, especially during and after the pandemic. He closes with a question-and-answer session.
Transitions from Pediatric to Adult Medical Care
Julie Corder, CNP, and Carrie Cuomo, DNP, CPNP, with the Cleveland Clinic Learning Hospital, discuss the critical stages of transition from pediatric to adult healthcare for individuals with complex medical needs. They define health care transitions (HCT), outline core elements for a successful HCT, and provide various resources. The presenters consider potential timelines and goals for different stages of HCT and discuss what turning 18 means in the US. Cuomo and Corder underscore the role that telehealth can play in HCT and share a video resource with explanations and social stories. Throughout the presentation, the speakers emphasize that it is never too late or too early to begin preparing for HCT and that transition plans are individual and different. They close with a question and answer session where they discuss insurance, COVID anxiety, social workers, and more.
Additional resources
- Love and Dating Resources – Resource page
- Navigating the Transition Years for People with ASD: From Preteen to Adulthood – Johnson Center webinar
- What Comes Next? Adult Transition – ARI webinar
- Understanding and Supporting Puberty in Autistic Girls and Boys – ARI webinar
- The Science of Making Friends for Autistic Youth: Lessons from the UCLA PEERS Program – ARI webinar
- Gender and Autism – ARI webinar
Resources from AIDE Canada
- Difficulties Transitioning From Pediatric to Adult Care: the Voices of Youth With Autism and Their Caregivers – Article
- Transitioning to Adulthood: Creating your Village – Article
- School Transition Workshop Recording – Workshop recording
- Transitioning Out of the Family Home – Webinar
- Children With Autism And Their Transition Between Primary And Secondary School – Article
- Transition to Adulthood Services: Continuing to Foster Self-Determination, Choices and Self-Advocacy – Toolkit
- Experiences of Youth with ASD Making the Transition to Adult Healthcare – Article
- Beyond High School: Self Identity and Managing Life – Toolkit
- Shared Stories, Shared Experiences: International Research on Autism and Menopause – Webinar
Wellbeing Wins: Integrating Positive Psychology into the Autism Community
Patricia Wright, PhD, MPH, and Katie Curran, MAAP, introduce Proof Positive – The Autism Well-being Alliance. The speakers describe positive psychology, its impact on well-being, and why it matters for autistic
Self-Regulation Strategies for Self-Injury
Learn updates and perspectives on strategies aimed at supporting autistic people experiencing self-injurious behaviors. Article by Dr. Ferguson mentioned in the talk:Â https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aur.3269 ECHO Autism Challenging Behavior:Â https://echoautism.org/challenging-behavior/ Autism Speaks Challenging
“School distress” rates are elevated among those with autism
Rates of “school distress”—or significant emotional distress related to attending school—are significantly elevated in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), according to a new study from the United Kingdom. Sophie
“School distress” rates are elevated among those with autism
Rates of “school distress”—or significant emotional distress related to attending school—are significantly elevated in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), according to a new study from the United Kingdom.Sophie Connolly and colleagues
Gender Discomfort and Autism
“I think society has an expectation where you have to be male or female, or you can be somewhere in between […]. But they don’t get that, actually, there are many genders
Parents and Caregivers: The Importance of Self-Care
 “If you are an exhausted or overwhelmed caregiver, this presentation is for you.” Amanda Tami, LPC, BCBA, discusses the importance of self-care for adult caregivers supporting people with special needs, including autism. She
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