Autism-Transitioning From High School

 Although the high school years were trying, they did provide a lot of growing for my son. He really did enjoy a lot of the activities provided him. He especially loved going to “the horse ranch” (he still remembers those days). He also loved the friends he made, the proms he attended and the many people that made such a difference. I think he also liked making a difference in others lives too.

The day came for the “last” IEP meeting and transition. That day really was hard. I brought a feast for all and it was more of a celebration of my son’s accomplishments than the usual dreaded IEP meeting. Everyone was crying and remembering when, but the one thing missing was “where will he go next?”

 His graduation day came so fast. It seemed like the years flew by. He didn’t walk with the graduating class, but the “County” program had their own ceremony. I am happy to report that, not only did the county administrators attend, but so did our entire school board members, assistant superintendent and the superintendent. It was such a surprise to all of us. It really felt like nice to see them there, to support our kids. I felt we had made some ground for acceptance. It was a very wonderful day! 

I still had no idea what my son would do once he left public school.  All the great things I had been able to get for him to help with transition (the vocational assessment from the autism expert, the AT device we finally got the last few months of school, visiting programs for adults in our area, being on top of things, and having “Miss Becky” working with him all these years) still didn’t provide the one thing he needed-a place to go when he left school! 

The stress and anxiety it caused was unbelievable. I felt I had come “full circle” since that first day I got the diagnoses 20 years before. In that last year of school, I tried to figure out exactly what my son would need. I attended numerous trainings, including those on transition. None of those trainings could prepare me for what was ahead.

I had my son’s Inland Regional Center worker send his file to the different adult programs in Southwest Riverside County. None of them could accommodate his unique needs. Not only did they not know how to communicate with him, but because of his size, they didn’t know how to handle him. They judged him before even meeting him. That was the hardest part. Most wouldn’t give him a chance and the others I wouldn’t subject him to, if that was their attitudes. I learned, very quickly, that those laws that protected my son all through school didn’t carry over in the real world. The different adult programs are NOT mandated to take anyone if you don’t want to. That was a hard one to swallow. It didn’t make sense to me how they could pick and choose, but that was the reality I was facing.

A year or so before my son exited, I had visited a program in San Diego County for adults. I was there to get some ideas on what adults might need in our area. This particular program was known for working with persons with Autism. They had 30 years experience in the field.  It just so happened that a friend of mine’s son was attending a program there. She told me of a pilot program they were going to start for adults with autism that had unique needs.  When my husband and I took our son down there to visit, I knew instantly that this was where he belonged. I felt they were very well aware of his needs and he would be very safe. The director of the program and my son seemed to have a bond the first day. The main thing I will never forget is what the director said to us. It was something I had never heard elsewhere, even during his school years. He said: “We WANT your son!” Usually people were not that eager to have him. I felt so reassured by these people that they would do all they could to help my son. They have…

Since he has been attending the program, he has had several jobs, loves the staff and his job coaches; he’s excited to get up every day and go. The program is all about “choices”-my son’s choices!! They have micro-enterprise businesses and they feel good about themselves. He also has a schedule he can handle. That schedule includes swimming, hiking, going to the beach, bowling, etc. His day is broken up into small increments of time with work and leisure activities to keep them on task. It works so well for him. It is the only program of its kind (by client ratio). I had to do a lot of talking to get him funded for the program, but in reality it is all about what works for each person. Another adult with Autism might not have the unique needs my son has. That is why Autism is NOT a one size fits all. My son has been attending this program now for 3 years. I have never seen him so happy and content. I feel blessed to have been able to be a part of this pilot program. It has improved our lives with him at home. I know when I send him everyday, he is with people that understand him, care about him and look out for his safety and health. I’m so grateful to all of the people that care for him on a daily basis.

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Autism-The Future, Plan Ahead....