The transition to high school and adulthood officially starts at age 14, though Milestones and other national autism experts recommend starting as early as possible. A major part is building skills for employment and exploring their interests, which is called vocational planning and preparation. Vocational preparation goals should be included in your teen’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) in the Future Planning Statement and goals section. Click here to see how vocational goals can be included in IEPs.
At 14 years old*, students can be referred to your state’s vocational employment agency that helps people with disabilities start developing skills to find competitive work. In Ohio, that agency is Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). The Rehabilitation Services Administration provides this gateway to the various state agencies.
At 16 years old, your teen needs a more in-depth transition plan in their IEP that is connected to their transition statement and future planning outcomes. They can start travel training (learning how to use public transportation) with most transit authorities like the RTA in Cleveland and get a disability fare card. If appropriate they can work towards getting their driver’s license and use specific disability agencies to help them.
This is the time to think about what type of job training and education they will need beyond high school to get the kinds of jobs they are interested in based on their skills and abilities. Everyone’s situation is unique. This could be an on the job training program, internship, a trade school, community college or university. Ask about the kinds of job accommodations such as having a job coach that might help your teen be successful.
The Milestones free autism Helpdesk or Family Consultations can assist you in finding resources and making a plan to help your teen develop the skills they need.
A Note about Timing Your Child's Use of Your State's Vocational Employment Agency
*You usually get a limited amount of services from your state’s vocational employment agency, which is the agency that helps people with disabilities find appropriate employment. So it is helpful to plan when you apply to make sure you are able to use the fullest service possible. Typically that means to apply four years before your child will graduate from high school. Check on what the specific limits and situation is with your state’s vocational rehabilitation services agency. In Ohio this agency is Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).
Life Skills and Strategies that Help Support Employment Readiness
Working on life skills like hygiene, self-advocacy, money management basics and social communication are important building blocks to prepare for employment. You'll find more information in the related articles in the Milestones Autism Planning (MAP) Tool. Seek opportunities for your teen to take responsibility, whether it’s feeding your pet or taking them for a walk, handling chores, or being in charge of a meal.
Learning how to do chores that gradually increase in complexity teaches taking responsibility, organizational and other critical life skills. These steps build to what a person needs as an adult to reach their full potential and live in the appropriate housing setting for their needs.
Help your teen identify when they're getting overwhelmed and learn coping strategies, so they build that self-awareness. Teach them to ask for help when something is difficult, and that it is OK to say no to something that they do not want to do or that is uncomfortable for them. Especially for autistic teens, we want to be careful not to inadvertently imply they must say yes or be too compliant, putting them at risk for victimization or bullying. In the workplace they will encounter different kinds of people and bosses and they will need to learn how to handle it.
Build self awareness for what may trigger (cause) a meltdown such as overscheduling, and what your teen needs to help them manage sensory issues that may be triggers. Two self-advocates share strategies they use to manage their sensory challenges here including light, sound and smell, starting with assessing your needs. The Managing Sensory Issues article in the MAP also provides tips and information.
Getting Employment Experiences While in School
Age Appropriate Transition Assessments (AATAs) should be occurring throughout all years in high school to help determine needed services to achieve desired goals as an adult. This is typically done in school but can also happen in other therapeutic settings. This information from Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) provides information and a video about AATA.
In high school your teen should start having jobs, whether at school or in the community, such as internships or entry level jobs. Their first job could be in the school with support from the interventionist, especially if they are more impacted. Because most teens need more supports for their first jobs, their IEP team should help develop these opportunities.
Your state vocational employment agency can help. In Ohio, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) can assist with planning, including getting vocational assessments, options like a summer youth program and possibly ideas for jobs.
For more impacted teens, seek opportunities for your teen by working collaboratively with their school or other community agencies. For example, your teen could volunteer with a food bank sorting things or deliver mail at school. Ask school to set up hands on learning where your teen will work or volunteer like how to check out people’s purchases.
Even if the IEP team and/or family feel that your teen will not be able to work, all students should be given the opportunity to learn vocational skills before saying they can’t. You might hear this called “show good faith effort.” Some states might have policies around this and how it impacts your student. For example that an assessment must be done that indicates the person can’t work. If you are in a situation and have questions about how to navigate this for your family we encourage you to contact the Milestones Helpdesk for assistance.