Just as schools educate young people to become responsible citizens who can navigate the world of post-secondary education, careers, and social life, dedicated parents also want their child to mature and be independent and happy. Youth who transition to adulthood encounter many obstacles, including finances, skills for independent living, job security, and social connections. Transitioning from School to Adulthood: Practical Activities for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Other Disabilities is a collection of descriptions, instructions, and practice activities for young people who face more barriers than most emerging adults. These activities are helpful for teachers, service providers, and parents assisting individuals with ASD, along with other disorders, such as Cognitive Disorders, Developmental Delays, and Specific Learning Disabilities. The activities are designed by future teachers, undergraduate students in the education major. Leaving the school environment and preparing for adulthood is a time of profound change. The adult world encompasses many firsts for young people. Planning for the changes enables more positive outcomes. The chapters in this book describe activities for independent life or supported environments, step-by-step instructions, and practice exercises. The areas of concentration include Socialization, Independent Living, Employment, Education, Self-Advocacy, and Health and Hygiene.

Is Gen Z resistant to growing up? A leading developmental psychologist and an expert in the college student experience debunk this stereotype and explain how we can better support young adults as they make the transition from adolescence to the rest of their lives. Experts and the general public are convinced that young people today are trapped in an extended adolescence—coddled, unaccountable, and more reluctant to take on adult responsibilities than previous generations. Nancy Hill and Alexis Redding argue that what is perceived as stalled development is in fact typical. Those reprimanding today’s youth have forgotten that they once balked at the transition to adulthood themselves. From an abandoned archive of recordings of college students from half a century ago, Hill and Redding discovered that there is nothing new about feeling insecure, questioning identities, and struggling to find purpose. Like many of today’s young adults, those of two generations ago also felt isolated and anxious that the path to success felt fearfully narrow. This earlier cohort, too, worried about whether they could make it on their own. Yet, among today’s young adults, these developmentally appropriate struggles are seen as evidence of immaturity. If society adopts this jaundiced perspective, it will fail in its mission to prepare young adults for citizenship, family life, and work. Instead, Hill and Redding offer an alternative view of delaying adulthood and identify the benefits of taking additional time to construct a meaningful future. When adults set aside judgment, there is a lot they can do to ensure that young adults get the same developmental chances they had.

Aimed at parents of and advocates for special needs children, explains how to develop a relationship with a school, monitor a child's progress, understand relevant legislation, and document correspondence and conversations.

Written by a respected teacher and counselor, this groundbreaking reference is filled with advice and success strategies specially designed for adult students. Readers will learn how to refresh study skills, renew test-taking skills, and set academic goals--while juggling the demands of family and job.

Drawing heavily from the experiences of successful students, this guide to going back to college addresses adult students’ unique challenges and concerns. Everything adults need to know to navigate the path from working life to student life, particularly the many changes in the admissions process over the past 10 years, is covered, including collecting and filling out application forms, writing a winning admissions essay, and applying for and securing financial aid. The book features dozens of actual essay examples from adult students. Uncensored views are provided of both the successes and failures of previous students, helping new students avoid pitfalls and apply with confidence. In addition, valuable advice from admission officers and adult student program directors is included. Topics covered include how to select the right program, be it undergraduate or graduate study, a certificate or extension program, part-time learning, or distance education; how to take advantage of previous education, training, or life experience to improve an application and earn additional credit; and financing an adult education through scholarships, financial aid, and employers.

In this improved and expanded edition of a classic resource, Paul Wehman and his colleagues take a fresh look at transition, examining the persistent yet unfortunate reality that not working is perhaps the truest definition of having a disability. Specialists in a variety of disciplines can use the creative and practical techniques in this book to ensure careful transition planning, to build young people's confidence and competence in this work skills, and to foster support from businesses and community organizations for training and employment programs. Young people with disabilities need life-skills training before they leave school. Life Beyond the Classroom offers professionals and students indispensable information and effective strategies for ensuring successful, supported transitions.