Many youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face challenges accessing needed services as they transition to adulthood. The present study describes the development, feasibility and acceptability of a new intervention designed to teach parents of transition-aged youth with ASD about the adult service system and the most effective ways to access…

The transition from high school to adulthood is difficult for youth with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Recognizing these challenges, there is a small but emerging body of literature testing interventions to improve the transition process. But there are many challenges in performing intervention research that have yet to be fully…

This study presents findings from a pilot randomized controlled trial, testing a 12-week intervention to train parents of youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to advocate for adult disability services--the Volunteer Advocacy Program-Transition (VAP-T). Participants included 41 parents of youth with ASD within 2 years of high school exit,…

One of the most respected and widely used autism interventions, Pivotal Response Treatment uses natural learning opportunities to modify key behaviors in children--leading to widespread positive effects on communication, behavior, and social skills. Now the pioneering experts behind PRT have created a comprehensive modern guide to this…

The material describes Louisiana's Down's Syndrome Project designed to prepare young children with Down's syndrome for transition to school and for placement in the least restrictive environment. Program location, budgeting, and funding information are discussed along with four major objectives. An organizational chart illustrates local and state…

This final report describes accomplishments and activities of a four-year federally funded project to provide technical assistance to Colorado children and youth with deafblindness. Accomplishments are detailed for each of the following six project goals: (1) identification of children with deafblindness; (2) development and maintenance of…

Activities and accomplishments of the Napa (California) program for disabled infants, birth to 5 years old, are summarized; and forms and program materials are presented. Components of the program, which served 25 children (birth to 3 years old) in 1981-1982, are discusssed as follows: early identification of children at risk; developmental…

The Secondary Transition Intervention Effectiveness Institute conducts applied research, program evaluations, and evaluation technical assistance in the areas of secondary special education and transitional services for individuals with disabilities. This annual report describes activities carried out during the fourth year of the Institute's…

This paper describes a center- and community-based training program for autistic preschool-aged children, their families, and community-based service providers in a traditionally underserved section of Appalachia. The program's team training approach focuses on early identification, comprehensive assessment, intensive individualized training,…

This document contains 24 papers. Keynote addresses were given on the topics of autonomy for deaf adolescents and parent-adolescent dialogue. A section titled "Demographic Profiles of Deaf Adolescents in America" compares students in special schools with mainstreamed students. A section on "Family Intervention and Parent…