| Around the age of fourteen, parents should begin | | | | different than steps for a non-autistic child, just more |
| thinking about how their autistic child will make the | | | | intensive and time consuming. When your child is |
| leap from school to adulthood. Ultimately, the goal for | | | | around the age of 14, begin exploring possible |
| the child should be to lead as normal and independent | | | | careers, talking to school counselors about your child's |
| a life as possible. As with your child's elementary and | | | | capabilities, participating in job assessment activities, |
| secondary school's education, good planning is a key | | | | and talking to people or reading books about careers |
| factor in helping your child develop to its fullest | | | | of interest. In high school, take another look at the |
| potential. Beginning around the age of 14, develop a | | | | transition plan to make sure it is still geared toward |
| plan geared toward making your child's adult life | | | | your child's current interests and remains realistic. |
| successful and fulfilling in terms of career, social | | | | Your child should begin taking courses that will enable |
| activity, and community involvement. It may sound | | | | him/her to enter a university or vocational school to |
| like a lot of work but the rewards for yourself and | | | | pursue a program in his area of interest. Allow your |
| more importantly for your child cannot be stressed | | | | child to participate in activities that allow him/her to |
| enough. Your child's transition plan should at least | | | | "try out" a career field, such as summer jobs, |
| incorporate: - Individual interests, needs, skills, and | | | | volunteer work, or part-time work. If your child plans |
| preferences - Strategies for a successful life after | | | | to attend college or a vocational program, begin |
| schooling ends - Long range goals and activities | | | | researching potential schools, and tests that are |
| designed to reach them - Services that will help reach | | | | necessary for enrolment. Identify schools that will be |
| the envisioned goals Again, the plan should be written | | | | able to accommodate your child's special needs. After |
| down, but it shouldn't be just words on a paper - it | | | | high school, you will need to identify services and |
| must involve action. Once you've identified areas of | | | | benefits your child may be entitled to. Your |
| interest for your child that could blossom into a | | | | neighborhood library or for instance the Internet can |
| career, take action to find opportunities that will | | | | be a great place to start your search for these |
| provide experience and training to help achieve | | | | benefits. Local support groups might be helpful in |
| career goals. For example, if your child is particularly | | | | providing useful tips ad many other parents in these |
| interested in animals, look for opportunities to | | | | support groups may have travel this road before |
| volunteer at animal shelters, zoos, farms, or | | | | you. They usually are more then willing to share their |
| veterinary offices. You might also find it helpful to | | | | knowledge with you. Contact local agencies for help |
| seek out opportunities outside of the child's particular | | | | in applying for programs or assistance for your child. |
| set of interests to provide your child with new | | | | What You Should Know About Autism Spectrum |
| options. In reality, the steps required to help your | | | | Disorders. |
| autistic child become a successful adult aren't much | | | | |