Adolescent and Young Adult Services

Transition into adulthood with autism or other learning differences

When raising a child, determining the best schools and programs is very important to you, the parent or guardian, and overall for the child’s future. Raising a child on the autism spectrum or with other learning differences is no different. The types of schools and programs you are enrolling your child in may be slightly different. However, you are making these decisions because you want the best for your child’s future, would you agree?

As your children are younger you are navigating schools, speech, ABA, etc., a parent’s only concern is in that present moment. In a blink of an eye, you have crossed MANY paths with your child and have incurred much growth and now they have come to the age where they are ready for middle school, high school, or even college! For parents whose children are still at a very young age or if your children are about to be a teenager, this is for YOU!

Autism Mastermind

Creating a community for your child’s future

Malinda Dalton-Cook and her husband created the podcast called Autism Mastermind to share their lives raising a child on the autism spectrum. Realizing that there wasn’t a group in their community to discuss their child’s futures and are going through the same things they are, they decided to create it. Malinda had an interview on The Autism Helper Podcast discussing what she and her husband created. In the interview, she says, “Start to think about your child’s future transition, for example, elementary school to middle school to high school to turning 18. They grow up so fast”. She discusses that knowing every single step doesn’t need to be known. It is nearly impossible to plan everything perfectly, however, it’s something that you should think of. Malinda’s two tips from the interview were:

Build your child’s trust circle, slowly but surely early on
Ask your child’s school for resources

In STEPPS is here to help!

Empowering individuals toward reaching their potential

In STEPPS designs individualized, evidence-based ABA services to fit the individual and their family’s needs. Our direct intervention behavioral programs utilize naturalistic teaching to support individuals in developing generalized independence. For example, in their behavior, skills, and functioning within their personal, familial, educational, professional, and community environments. Parent consultation is provided to teach parents how to implement behavior reduction and management strategies. As well as, in using strategies to teach and support their child’s skills for long term maintenance. Let us help you and your family grow together!