News and Knowledge

The revised and updated Life Journey through Autism: A Guide for Transition to Adulthood, second edition (2021) serves as a transition planning roadmap for parents and autistic young adults as they prepare to lead more independent, involved, and enjoyable lives. It is also a great resource for educators and counselors.

When autistic students graduate from high school or turn 21 years of age, they no longer receive federally mandated supports and services. Reduced access to supports and services can negatively impact them as they adjust to the freedoms and responsibilities of adult life. With early and effective transition planning, parents and students can reduce those negative impacts, improving their outcomes and increasing their overall quality of life.

A Guide for Transition to Adulthood is packed with updated content, resource recommendations, handouts, and activity worksheets for parents and young adults. The guide includes information about:

• How to effectively engage your young adult.
• Special education laws that shape available supports and legal protections.
• How to equip your young adult with self-determination skills they need to advocate for themselves and develop a plan for their own future.
• Options and preparations for higher education, employment, independent living, and other relevant aspects of adulthood.

Special recognition goes to Lori Lapin Jones PLLC for its continued interest in the needs of individuals with autism. Special recognition also goes to the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, D.C. The development and distribution of this guide were made possible thanks to the generous support of these two organizations.

Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., OAR Scientific Council chairman, was the principal writer for the original guide, which was released in 2006. OAR thanks Margaret Gorman, Kimberly Ha, Melissa Hochberg, Alisa Morrison, Sallie Nowell, Tabitha Ramminger, and Amanda Ziegert for their contributions to the revised guide. OAR is also grateful to the following community members for their valuable feedback: Camilla McMahon, Cathleen Caldway, Naina Chernoff, Dena Gassner, Joanna Mussey, Lori Lapin Jones, Sheila Krein, Amanda Rioux, and Lance Silberstein.

Download or Order the Guide

Download A Guide for Transition to Adulthood as an interactive PDF from OAR’s website. The interactive PDF allows users to fill in worksheets and save progress on their computer. A spiral-bound paperback version is also available at no cost. OAR encourages readers to share this resource with transition teams, parent support groups, and autism conference events. For questions, comments, or bulk order requests, please contact OAR at programs@researchautism.org with the subject line “Transition Guide.”