| When contemplating the subject of autism and | | | | down your goals for your child and what you plan to |
| transitioning to adulthood, many parents of autistic | | | | do to help them accomplish those goals. You plan |
| children can become very overwhelmed. In truth | | | | should include things like your child's interests and |
| though, preparing an autistic child for adult life is not that | | | | hobbies. It should also detail your strategies to help |
| much different than for a normal child. It is simply more | | | | them have a successful life after they have finished |
| intensive and time consuming. Here are some things to | | | | school. Another component of the plan would be short |
| do to help your child with autism and transitioning to | | | | and long term goals for your child aimed at transitioning |
| adulthood. Most parents begin thinking about and | | | | them into independent life. Lastly, you should have a |
| planning for their autistic child's transition to adulthood | | | | course of action that you plan to follow in order to |
| about the time the child turns fourteen. This is a good | | | | make these plans a reality. Don't feel like you plan is |
| age to begin preparing them for what comes after the | | | | set in stone. It should be revisited periodically to ensure |
| childhood and school stage. Many autistic children can | | | | that it is still relevant and that the goals are still in line |
| become functioning adults with careers of their own, | | | | with what your child wants for their life. |
| but the stage must be set ahead of time. Begin by | | | | Start talking to counselors and others who have |
| researching opportunities to expose your child to | | | | experience in these things and can guide you. It is also |
| different careers. Capitalize on their interests. If a child | | | | good to research what kinds of benefits your child |
| loves animals, set up a day where he or she can go | | | | might qualify for as well as any special services he or |
| and shadow a veterinarian or see what a zoo keeper | | | | she may be able to utilize. Again, autism and |
| does. It is also helpful if there are opportunities where | | | | transitioning to adulthood doesn't need to be as |
| the child could volunteer on a regular basis. This way | | | | daunting as it can seem. As long as you have a |
| they can get hands on experience that will help them | | | | realistic plan that is well laid out, you can make the |
| see if this is the right path for them. | | | | transition from childhood to adulthood a successful one |
| It is also very important to have a concrete plan. Write | | | | for your child. |