Читать книгу Launching Your Autistic Youth to Successful Adulthood - Katharina Manassis - Страница 3

Preface

Why I can help you help your youth

Is this book relevant to my youth and our circumstances?

How this book will help

How to use this book

PART 1: Challenges and Goals for Transition

1. Challenges with the Transition to Adulthood in ASD

What you will learn in this chapter

What is lost when high school ends?

What is it like for you as a parent?

The myth that it’s easy for the high functioning

What predicts a positive transition to adulthood?

Intervention programs and case managers

Robert’s story continues

Final, hopeful thoughts

Take-home pearls

2. Setting Goals: Who Defines Successful Transition?

Understanding different perspectives

Where to start with goal-setting

Why not turn this over to a professional?

Resistance and unrealistic goals

Communication strategies

Life beyond goals

Take-home pearls

PART 2: How Can Parents Foster a Successful Transition?

3. Promoting Independence

Why is independence challenging and how can you help?

What can go wrong?

Promoting independence successfully

When should you advocate for your youth?

Who can help you promote independence?

Assessing specific independence skills

Teaching specific independence skills

Prioritizing and encouraging new skills

Take-home pearls

4. Optimizing Education

Preparing for the future in high school

How can you work effectively with high school educators?

Overcoming common obstacles to graduation

Which post-secondary option is best?

What supports are needed in my youth’s post-secondary program?

To disclose or not to disclose

Working with post-secondary educators

Take-home pearls

5. Optimizing Employment

What works when seeking work?

Employment options

Finding a job through networking

Supporting steps in the job application process

Should you work with an employment agency?

Should your youth pursue a training program for job seekers?

Supporting young people in maintaining jobs

Don’t give up!

Take-home pearls

6. Promoting Physical and Mental Health

Why health is a particular concern with ASD

How child and adult health providers differ

Preparing your youth for adult medical providers

Successfully engaging adult-focused providers

Helping to manage chronic conditions

Helping to manage new/unexpected conditions

Preventing health problems

Final thoughts on your role

Take-home pearls

7. Promoting Social Adaptation

The gamut of social relationships

How can you help maintain high school friendships?

What constitutes a good support group?

How can you deal with your youth’s online “communities”?

What dating advice do autistic young adults need?

How can you protect your youth from victimization?

How can you protect your youth from trouble with the law?

Take-home pearls

8. A Summary of Helpful Supports

Youth supports to consider

Getting your youth on board

What should you look for in a supportive professional?

What support programs would be helpful for your youth?

How can the government help?

What to look for in a supportive friend or family member

Should you go to a support group?

What is respite and where do you get some?

What next?

Take-home pearls

PART 3: Preparing for the Future

9. Planning for the Long Term: Financial Aspects

How can you plan for the long term when youth outcomes are uncertain?

How should you save for your youth’s future needs?

How much should you tell your youth about financial matters?

Should you apply for guardianship or financial power of attorney?

How can you ensure government benefits continue beyond your death?

Should you involve a trust company?

What needs to be included in your will?

Take-home pearls

10. Planning for the Long Term: Social Aspects

Can’t this wait until we sort out education and employment?

What happens if my son or daughter loses close friends?

How can you connect your youth with supportive communities?

What are some options for living away from home?

What is required for my youth to live independently?

How do you decide on the best living arrangements with your youth?

How do you judge the degree of support your youth needs?

What about having your youth live with a family member?

Will my son or daughter ever marry?

Take-home pearls

11. Resilience, Realistic Hope, and Avoiding Burnout

Transition to adulthood is a family affair

Recognizing burnout

Helpful actions and attitudes to reduce burnout

Attending to your partner

Helping your autistic youth’s siblings cope

Your youth’s place in the family and resilience

Course corrections on the road to adulthood

Finding realistic hope

Take-home pearls

Bibliography

Index