When young adults with disabilities (YAWD) age out of the system, they face what has colloquially been termed "the cliff," which symbolizes the sudden drop in services that occur as they transition out of high school; needs previously met at school are left unaddressed. Multiple options have been suggested to meet these needs, including…

The purpose of this dissertation in practice was to increase post-school success by ensuring parental/guardian education and partnerships with post school agencies and programs. Study participants consisted of the parents or guardians of 18-22 year old students with moderate to severe disabilities enrolled in the Supportive Transition Exploration…

The transition to adulthood for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is known for its unique challenges, such as limited or non-existent services after high school and poor outcomes faced in adulthood. Given these challenges, it is important to further explore the transition planning experiences of caregivers and…

Adolescents and young adults living with chronic illness experience more complications and challenges when transitioning to adult-oriented care. Despite various interventions to support medication management, goal setting, and collaboration with care teams, AYAs continue to struggle, affecting their health and life outcomes. In this dissertation,…

African American (AA) youth with disabilities face significant challenges as they transition to adulthood. Currently, as a group, post-secondary education, employment, and living independently outcomes remain poor. As of 2021, only a quarter of African Americans with disabilities were employed (U.S. Department of Labor, n.d.). Without the proper…

Autistic individuals have numerous strengths that are valuable in work settings (e.g., attention to detail, punctuality, low absenteeism, high work quality, strong work ethic, trustworthiness, loyalty). Yet, when compared to neurotypical peers, many autistic individuals continue to have difficulty securing, maintaining, and advancing in…

Current workplace learning for those who work in businesses that host a Project SEARCH program (a high school transition-to-work program) is not cohesive and comprehensive enough to sufficiently promote the equity and inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce. Consequently, young adults with disabilities may experience implicit or…

The unemployment rate for autistic young adults after high school graduation is higher than for all other populations with disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires transition planning as part of an individualized education plan (IEP) starting no later than age 16. There is evidence, however, that autistic…

The current study seeks to support early adults in maintaining mindfulness practices to ease discomfort during their transition to college. Early adulthood is well-matched for introducing mindfulness practice, and summer bridge programs are a logical place to introduce these skills. Mindfulness programs for college students have shown promising…

Young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) accomplish outcomes in the areas of employment, continued education, and independent living at rates much lower than their peers without disabilities (Newman et al., 2011). Limited reliable and independent transportation is one barrier youth with IDD face in accessing these…

During high school, students with disabilities are provided with an Individualized Education Program to help increase their academic performance and ability to access the general education curriculum. Once these individuals turn 16, a transition plan is developed that supports their development and preparation to graduate from high school and…

The post-school transition phenomenon has been examined using educational and vocational viewpoints. However, despite evidence-based practices and policies, individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) often experience unfavorable outcomes. This population needs a voice in existing literature because it tends to be aggregated with other…

For students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and comorbid Intellectual Disability (ASD/ID), effective post-secondary transition services are vital. Despite the research-supported transition success of many individuals with ASD, there is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of suitable supports for those with a comorbid ID. When considering young…

Extensive research has been conducted regarding vocational training for adults with disabilities, but less is known about comprehensive programs that prepare young adults for all aspects of life. Since the law requires transition planning and preparation for all students with intellectual disabilities, ages 16-21, research about effective and…

Parenting is a complicated journey that never ends for those who raise children with special needs. Families need to make several difficult decisions about life after high school, and they are often left alone to navigate those choices. Decisions on life after high school are one of several choices families are left to navigate. This qualitative…