This project study focused on the inconsistencies in transition planning for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by teachers serving as transition education designees (TEDs) in a specific local region of a southern state. Guided by Schlossberg's transition theory, the purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the perceptions…

The transition from high school to university is usually complex for every student, but especially for minority groups. This is mainly due to the need to create more inclusive universities. The objective of this study was to determine the variables that influence the transition from post-compulsory education to university for students identifying…

Following high school exit, many autistic young adults are not enrolled in post-secondary education or employed, and few are engaged in community activities. This disengagement among autistic young adults may be a result of the limited or inadequate supports provided to autistic transition-age youth in schools. Therefore, the purpose of the…

Purpose: Research documents poor outcomes for autistic adults in the domains of employment, independent living, and social relationships. Measurement and sample limitations in prior studies may have amplified past estimates of poor outcomes. The goal of the current study was to improve upon past approaches and to create and describe a measurement…

High school students are currently transitioning out of an autism program at the author's school, without functional life skills. This impacts their ability to live independently and reduces their employment opportunities. Life skills are "skills or tasks that contribute to the successful, independent functioning of an individual in…

Schools are mandated to provide transition planning support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who receive special education services in the transition from high school to adulthood. Current research suggests critical gaps in this process that can lead to a number of negative outcomes for youth. It is imperative to better…

In this systematic evaluation of intervention research for transition-age autistic youth, we examined quality indicators in 193 group and single-case design intervention studies, which tested effects on 1258 outcomes. Behaviorally based interventions were the most common intervention type. We found significant threats to internal validity for the…

The transition to adulthood is a challenging time of major decision-making about education, employment, finances, living situation, and social relationships. Transition planning is vital for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who are more likely than those without special education needs to encounter challenges with social integration,…

Obtaining the perspectives of autistic young adults is critical for planning educational and service delivery systems focused on the preparation for a high life quality after high school. The perspective and voice of autistic young adults who participated in the Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism (CSESA) multi-site follow-up…

The purpose of this basic qualitative research study was to explore how secondary transition teachers make postsecondary transition programming decisions and how their firsthand experiences inform the transition process for students with autism without a comorbid intellectual disability. There is a need for additional research that helps identify…

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting social interaction and communication skills. ASD can cause restrictive or repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities, with associated challenges and co-morbidities that often carry over into adulthood. These can limit opportunities for higher education, socialization,…

While much support exists for autistic individuals from infancy through secondary education, better support is needed for autistic students' transition to higher education. Autistic high school students are less likely than nonautistic students to pursue postsecondary education and report experiencing various difficulties in college, such as…

This study explores the intersectionality in the educational experiences of Korean American students with autism as they navigate the transition from high school to college. For these students, dis/ability status alone does not shape the pathway to adulthood: dis/ability is tightly bound with other social categories, such as race, language, and…

As part of global efforts in inclusive education, more autistic students are attending mainstream schools. However, many have negative school experiences and lower educational attainment. Strengths-based approaches have been proposed to improve these outcomes, but there is limited research on their implementation in mainstream high schools.…

College students on the autism spectrum report the following support needs: interpersonal skills and coping with unexpected change. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of an interpersonal skills seminar using elements of the PEERS® curriculum on the acquisition of conversational behaviors by three young adults on the…