92% had a Transition Plan in their IEP by Age 16, Less than Half Included Adult Living Arrangments
A new longitudinal population-based surveillance study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that while the vast majority of teens with autism (92%) have transition plans in their individualized education programs (IEPs), these plans often neglect to include goals related to post-high school living arrangements. The authors came to this finding by reviewing health and education records for 322 teens, ages 15–16 years, with autism. They discovered that only 41% had a goal related to post-high school living arrangements. The researchers noted that although these goals are not required components of transition planning, they are essential as only a minority of young adults with autism live independently without support. The study used data collected through the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network from 2002 to 2018 in 3 catchment areas throughout the country. The authors determined that working with education partners, families, and the adolescents themselves is essential to identify what challenges contribute to these findings and what supports are needed to improve the transition planning process for individuals with autism to have an appropriate living arrangement placement prepared for adulthood.
