The Autism College Connection

Some kids are ready for their next adventure right after high school. Others need more time to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. Often a developmental delay is just that — it’s a delay; some kids need an extra year or two to catch up to their peers. Luckily, there are options.

Students, who need a little more time, might want to consider a Transition Program or an 18-21 Program, where they can continue their growth in a supportive setting. These programs are offered at public schools, private schools, and at colleges. They support students as they take their next steps in life, whether it is college, employment, or independent living. 

A good transition program is a safe place for students to try different things and fail. And through the process of succeeding and failing, they find the best way forward. They can have internships at a pet store and the pizza parlor. Some might take a class or two at the local community college. If a student hits a bump, there are plenty of staff to help them adjust their path. 

Honestly, I think more young people should have a variety of real world experiences to see what works best for them. Students could spend three months helping the nurses at a hospital, three months hammering boards at a construction site, and three months taking a philosophy class. Most of us don’t know what we’ll love and be good at, until we try it. So, typical young people spend years running their own experiments, working too many jobs, and spending too much on education, when job sampling — an employment buffet — could have saved them lots of time. 

Sometimes autistic students, who are very sensitive to their differences, want to go straight to college after high school like their friends, whether or not they’re ready. It’s up to the parents to put on the breaks and remind them that plenty of kids need to take some time before starting college or work, so they’ll be more successful later. They travel, work, and get a little more mature. Malia Obama took a Gap Year before she went to Harvard. If Malia Obama can take a Gap Year, then your kid can, too. 

Transition programs are quickly multiplying, because the demand is so high. Our definition of disabilities has expanded in more recent years. More kids are diagnosed with autism and have IEPs. Parents are more comfortable with their children’s autism diagnosis and understand the benefits of self-identification. So, there’s more kids than ever looking for services from a transition program. 

With options in exclusive private schools, local public schools, and on college campuses, there are more and more transition opportunities for students with all sorts of disabilities and flavors of autism. Families have become more savvy about the benefits of transition programs, too. So, we’re looking at a whole new landscape with more options for everyone.