New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Life Planning

Guardianship for the Adult with Disabilities

• I have concerns if my adult child with disabilities can make financial decisions on his own as he turns 18 years of age. Should I consider to appeal the court for guardianship?

Transition: High School to Employment

• My son who has Asperger's Syndrome will be 19 and ready to transition from school to employment? What resources do you have on transitioning to employment in Alabama?

• What supports will a student need as one transitions to life after high school?

Answers on the topic of Life Planning:

Q:

• I have concerns if my adult child with disabilities can make financial decisions on his own as he turns 18 years of age. Should I consider to appeal the court for guardianship?

• A: Check out our New Horizons Un-Limited guide on Guardianship for Your Young Adult Child with Disabilities. When your young adult child with disabilities turns 18 years old, you are no longer guardian. If you have concerns whether your child is capable of handling financial and health decisions find out what you need to know about guardianship. This guide provides some answers and directs you to many resources on guardianship. Do not enter guardianship lightly. Find out more about this legal process before you enter into it. Evaluate your child and your situation. Perhaps your concerns are correct and guardianship will protect your young adult child. Guardianship, however, is not always necessary and there are some alternatives.

Transition: High School to Employment

• A: Alabama Autism and Aspergers Statewide Network info and support network provides many resources on various topics of support on their page Network Links and Resources: including Advocacy, Age Specific, Diagnosis/Treatment/Medical, Education, Camps and Recreation, Family Support, and Statewide Resources.

  In particular, the Alabama Statewide Network offers resources on Teenage/Adult/Transition Links Information about Autism Transition Services and Asperger's Specific Resources. You will need to sign up and sign in to access the information.

  Click on the article "Transition Services from High School for Teens with Autism" by David A. Sherman which includes practical suggestions for transition services. He suggests to be careful drafting the goals in the transition IEP. In this article he also speaks about making a written request for transition services. He states, "A parent may wish to make written requests for assessments by qualified personnel to help determine needed transition services, particularly if the school is not forthcoming with a full transition program. A parent can also make a written request for a transportation assessment. Other request for assessments could determine appropriate training for employment considering the child's interest and an assessment to determine the appropriate living situation and'/or the independent living skills needed."

  Aspergers Specific Supports is another link on the Alabama Statewide Network that has support groups for people with Aspergers. Support groups may be helpful as you may find out how others have made this transition to employment, the companies that hired them and how to find assistance.

  Autism Society of Alabama Community Supports for Adults offers many employment resources in this directory.

  Autism Speaks Transition Tool Kit Alabama State Information Since the transition process is different in each state, Autism Speaks has developed transition timelines for each state, along with more information about the process and state agency contact information that may be helpful to you during the transition to adulthood.

  Autism Speaks explains the IEP transition program and offers many transition resources in Alabama. There are many kinds of resources listed to assist with Aspergers Syndrome in supported employment. Listed are the Alabama Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Goodwill Industries or Easterseals. These agencies work with employment agencies that work with employers to create jobs for the specific needs of people with disabilities.

  If your son does not qualify for these services, check with your local Center for Independent Living. There are several listed on the Autism Speaks directory above. To find the CIL closest to you, visit our NHU page at Centers for Independent Living

  If your son does not qualify for these services, use the resources on this page to develop a plan with him on finding a job that will suit him.

  1. What are your son's interests, hobbies, strengths and weaknesses?

  2. Check out the following article on Choosing the Right Job for People with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome This article explains how to put one's strengths forward and how to understand what one may not do as well. Included are charts on bad jobs or good jobs for people with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome. This article is by Temple Grandin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA, (November, 1999)

  3. Review the resources from the Alabama Association for Persons in Supported Employment which offers information on supported employment, lists best practices in supported employment, and lists lending library materials on subjects such as career self-determination, family support, job coaching and more.

  4. Develop a plan to research companies in your area.

  a. What companies hire people with Asperger's Syndrome? Your local Center for Independent Living may be able to help you.

  b. What companies do you know where you would feel he would be in a sheltered understanding environment at work, such as a church, nursing home, private school, or non-profit organization.

  c. Network and talk to friends and family about possible employment possibilities and solutions.

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