This study examined the effects of participation of peer volunteers in the Transitions Program for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a program that facilitates social skills and social interactions. Participants in this study were peer volunteers in the Transitions Program. Each peer volunteer completed a questionnaire, following…

Throughout the United States, many school districts offer transition program services for students with disabilities. Some of the transition services include students who are learning social, academic, and vocational skills to live independently. Some students who are enrolled in transition programs may have High Functioning Autism Spectrum…

The transition from adolescence to adulthood can be difficult to manage for any individual. In addition to typical adjustments, additional challenges for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have included living at home for longer, isolating themselves socially, and struggling to find the motivation to seek employment and/or education.…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of students with Level I Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who were involved with transition planning which resulted in ongoing services after high school. This study sought to understand student and parental perspectives of the value and impact of the facets of transition planning.…

Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often require accommodations for the successful transition to postsecondary education. Offices of specialized/disability services at four-year postsecondary institutions and community colleges are responsible for providing accommodative services which include technology accommodations for students with…

The goal of an early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) program is to teach each child the skills necessary to make meaningful progress in less-restrictive environments (Fox, Dunlap & Crushing, 2002). However, few studies have detailed the steps necessary for a "successful" transition into these educational settings. We…

While assessments of general social proficiency constructs are numerous in the ASD literature, and in the special education literature more broadly, investigations of the latent structure(s) of "vocational-specific" social proficiency constructs have yet to receive serious empirical investigation. Furthermore, trends in this literature…

This study examined the relations between child internalizing behavior problems and social competence in a sample of young children (N = 166) with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as they transitioned to early schooling. Previous literature suggested higher rates of comorbid psychopathology in this population of children; however, a limited number…

This qualitative case study explored how secondary special education teachers and transition specialists perceived their collaborative efforts when transitioning students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from secondary to higher education. The theory of transition established the platform for this study. Two of the theoretical principles of…

This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of fathers of adolescent sons with autism spectrum disorders as they transitioned out of school and into the postsecondary environment. Current research is lacking regarding the experiences of fathers; some researchers have described fathers as an afterthought when discussing the…

Institutions of higher education are experiencing historic enrollment of students with disabilities. The focus of this evaluation report was Jumpstart, a transition program for students with disabilities entering their first year of college. The Jumpstart program prepares talented students with disabilities to navigate the college environment at a…

Federally mandated transition planning has done little to improve the postsecondary outcomes of people with Asperger's syndrome. Current high school transition planning for students with Asperger's attempts to address some of these areas through family involvement, community inclusion, and the active participation of the student in…

Increasing numbers of children with autism are being identified at a younger age, before the age of 3, when their intervention services are coordinated through early intervention service providers. Shortly after starting with services families are faced with their first major transition regarding intervention services when their child turns 3 and…

The purpose of the study was to examine the implementation of a special education program designed to support students with autism and social/emotional disturbances in a large, suburban school district. The study examined how services are delivered to students, staffing/personnel aspects, and budgetary considerations relative to programming.…

Over the past two decades, substantial research has documented the increase of students with disabilities enrolling in post-secondary education. The purpose of the study was to examine factors identified as significant in preparing individuals who fall on the autism spectrum for post-secondary experiences. The study was exploratory in nature and…