How do you help a teen with transition services...?

Question

I have a 15 (almost 16) year old with Asperger’s. She was a
late diagnosis (wasn’t diagnosed until she was 14). What I
would like to know is how do you help a teen with transition
services, i.e. getting a job, learning to drive, going to or
even just getting into college, when the teen doesn’t have
any desire to learn or do any of those things?

Answer

Unfortunately, and as of this writing, the diagnoses of
autism and Asperger’s Syndrome do not receive the same
government support as do other more well-known disabilities.
When financial assistance is not available for therapy or
medication, illnesses go untreated, and the person with
Asperger’s experiences mental and social difficulties. If
you can afford medical services, obtain them as soon as
you can. If you cannot afford such services, check with
your child’s school. They can design an individualized
treatment plan for her. The ideal treatment plan involves
your daughter, a counsellor or therapist, her teachers, and
her parents be consistently involved with her treatment and
use effective teaching and disciplinary principles. While
you may not be able to afford therapy for your daughter,
you will learn a lot of coping principles at the treatment
plan meetings.

A quick, easy way for you to start helping your daughter is
to begin reading books about Asperger’s Syndrome. There are
many titles on the subject; start by going on the internet
and typing the words “Asperger’s girls” or “Asperger’s
teenagers.” The books can be purchased on the internet, or
you can make note of the titles and take them to your local
bookstore. They will order them for you. In addition to the
internet, keep up with the information provided on this
website. Make it a habit to read the questions and answers
on this website to get the information you need. Another
source of information is your nearest autism or Asperger’s
Association and support group. They will refer you to free
or low cost services available in your area.

All parents of Asperger’s Syndrome children worry about
their child’s diagnosis as well as their future. There is
an excellent video available titled “Asperger’s Syndrome:
Transition to College and Work” by Dan and Julie Coulter.

At the age of 14, your daughter is coping with adolescence
in addition to her Asperger’s diagnosis. Talk with her
about the future, and discuss the benefits of driving, going
to work, and attending college. Don’t expect her to make
conclusive decisions about these subjects, especially
college. After all, it is several years away. Prioritize
her issues. First, make sure she gets treatment for her
Asperger’s, see if there is a teenage support group in your
area, and take the rest slowly. Her first goal should be
learning about and getting treatment for her Asperger’s
Syndrome.

One educational option for your daughter is a junior college
as opposed to a university. Colleges are now accommodating
their growing populations of disabled students who begin
their studies with a variety of diagnoses. Community
college can be an excellent choice for an Asperger’s student
because students at community colleges get more counselling
support, and, since most community college students are
still living at home, they have fewer new adjustments to
make. Whether she chooses a community or four year college,
it is best to find one which offers special programs for
students with disabilities. Before enrolling, students on
the autism spectrum need help planning a manageable course
load.

One way to help prepare your daughter for adulthood is a
part-time job while in high school. See if you can
determine your daughter’s vocational strengths and interests
that will help her be successful with part-time employment.

To learn more about teenagers and Asperger’s Syndrome, read
the book Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum: A Parent’s
Guide to Cognitive, Social, Physical, and Transition Needs
of Teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Chantal
Sicile-Kira.

This book considers the issues that teens with Asperger’s
Syndrome cope with during their teenage years. The
information is clearly written and is appropriate for
children outside the autistic spectrum, too. It was written
by a parent, for parents. While the book doesn’t present
the issues in depth, it does serve as a starting point for
planning your daughter’s future.

The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide: A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Aspergers Syndrome.