Autism Spectrum Center | Transition to Adulthood
Transition from youth-based services to adult-services can be a challenging one for individuals with autism and their families. Here are some resources that can help:
Employment
AANE: The Asperger / Autism Network (AANE) works with individuals, families, and professionals to help people with “high functioning autism” to build meaningful, connected lives
- Employment: Web based tools, resources and news.
Institute for Community Inclusion: Helping ensure individuals with disabilities have access to employment and educational opportunities.
- Think Work: Information on getting a job and working
- Employment First: info on training for employment
- Employment services: Get help finding a job
Jewish Family and Children’s Services: Offers support to a wide range of individuals within the metro Boston area.
- Pathways to Employment: Helps develop workplace skills
Massachusetts General Hospital’s Aspire Program: Helping individuals with high cognitive ASD or a similar profile make social connections and develop independence.
- Aspire Internship Program: Individuals are placed with an employer partner and receive ongoing support from a career counselor and peer groups.
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC): state government agency that helps individuals with disabilities live and work independently.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: (Ages 16-adulthood) assists with obtaining employment. Schools can refer students or families can call a local MRC area office to schedule an appointment.
Asperger Works : private group helping individuals with autism who can work find a job. This group works primarily in the Merrimack Valley of MA, and run by individuals with autism.
Education
AANE: The Asperger / Autism Network (AANE) works with individuals, families, and professionals to help people with “high functioning autism” to build meaningful, connected lives:
- College Consultation: Fee based 1:1 service to help your child prepare and enroll in college
Institute for Community Inclusion: Helping ensure individuals with disabilities have access to employment and educational opportunities.
- Think College: Directory to search for colleges that offer support for individuals with disabilities
Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment (Mass Department of Higher Education): Offers grants to college-school partnerships to support eligible public high school students with intellectual disabilities, ages 18–22, to increase their academic and career success by being included in a college or university.
Wright’s Law: Provides information on the IEP process
Massachusetts Department of Education
- Chapter 688 Referral: made by school district at 16 (or 2 years prior to leaving school), gives students an Assigned Transition Coordinator and connects student with DDS for transition to adult services
Federation for Children with Special Needs:
College Autism Spectrum : Private group helping individuals with autism prepare for college
Social/Independent living
AANE: The Asperger / Autism Network (AANE) works with individuals, families, and professionals to help people with “high functioning autism” to build meaningful, connected lives:
- LifeMAP Coaching: To help increase independence
- Neurodiverse Couples Coaching: Fee-based relationship counseling
The Arc of Massachusetts: 18 local chapters provide services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Center for Future Planning: Video resources to get you thinking about planning for independence
Massachusetts General Hospital’s Aspire Program: Helping individuals with high cognitive ASD or a similar profile make social connections and develop independence.
- Aspire's programs for adults focus on exploring meaningful work opportunities, transitioning to college, developing relationships and accessing resources for living independently. Programs focus on the development of self-awareness, improve social competence by teaching ways of thinking and being social, executive function, and life skills in a supportive and structured setting.
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC): state government agency that helps individuals with disabilities live and work independently.
- Transition to Adult Program (TAP): (ages 14-22) Provides skills training and mentoring to support individuals to live independently
Federation for Children with Special Needs:
- Federation for Children with Special Needs transition assessment
- Federation for Children with Special Needs self determination
- Federation for Children with Special Needs age of majority
NESCA-Newton: Private agency that will assist in transition to college as well as other matters related to transition.
Guardianship
State forms: This is a link to Massachusetts state forms specific to the guardianship process. You will find the Clinical Team Report form, and other helpful legal forms.
- Exceptional Lives Guardianship Guide: Interactive guide to help you decide if your child needs a guardian, and reviews how to obtain guardianship.
Financial
Exceptional Lives Social Security Income (SSI) Guide: Reviews whether your child qualifies and how to obtain SSI.
Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL): Works with DDS to provide reimbursement for programs/activities to promote community engagement and independence (e.g. educational fees, a Personal Care Attendant, entertainment, gym membership, transportation, rent).
Transportation
Uber Pilot Program with The Ride: Offers low-cost Uber rides for individuals with an ID # through MBTA’s The Ride.
Adaptive Driving Program: Private agency that offers added support to help you/your child learn to drive.
Health care
Got Transition: Guides and Information about how to prepare for transition to an adult medical provider.
General resources
Autism Commission: State agency focused on autism-specific resources—they have developed a guide to transition in MA.
Jewish Family and Children’s Services: Offers support to a wide range of individuals within the metro Boston area.
- Disability Life Span Solutions: Full range of services designed to support you and your child as they age into adult life (fee-based)
- Disability Resource Network: Free information, referral, and consultation service. Helping you connect with programs and services that promote the fullest participation in the community.
Federation for Children with Special Needs: The LINK Center: connects families, professionals and individuals with disabilities ages 14-26 with information, supports, and services.
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC): state government agency that helps individuals with disabilities live and work independently.
- Transition Services for Students and Youth: (age 14+) includes technical assistance, training, and individualized transition planning for students and families to help them prepare for life after high school.
Autism Housing Pathways Turning 18 checklist: Helpful tool to keep you on the path toward adult life with a focus on housing
Ability Path: Their “Journey to Life After High School” roadmap is a long document, but it covers everything from education to employment and housing, with real stories from individuals with disabilities and their parents.
Housing
Autism Pathways: Website specific to securing affordable and appropriate housing for individuals with autism
