Course Overview

Transition-Aged Youth and Adults with ASD

September 9, 2024 - January 3, 2025

By participating in this online course, you will gain an understanding of the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), become aware of the issues with transition planning for autistic youth, and learn employment and community options for this population.

  • Registration Instructions

  • Course registration is a two-step process: 1) Register on AIM and 2) Register and pay on Ashland University's system. Once you have completed this two-step process, this course will be available to you on AIM at the start of the semester, September 9, 2024.

    If you have questions about this course or the registration process, please contact the course instructor, Megan Trowbridge at megan_trowbridge@ocali.org.
  • Registration Details
  • Course registration open September 2, 2024 - December 13, 2024
  • 1-Credit course costs $225 paid to Ashland University
Course Modules

The Employee with Autism

Estimated Time to Complete: 2 hours

This module will assist those that support youth and adults with ASD as they prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. It covers the basic features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adults that are relevant to the workplace and to the provision of employment services. This module is an adaptation of a much longer reference work titled Adult Autism and Employment: A Guide for Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals (Standifer, 2009).

Social Supports for Transition-Aged Individuals

Estimated Time to Complete: 1 1/2 hours

Transitioning from school to adult life is a time of significant change and heightened stress. However, because resistance to change and delayed social development are common characteristics of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), transition can be particularly frustrating. This module will explore research-based practices and predictors designed to address the specific needs of transition-aged individuals with ASD and their families in the realm of social skills.

Customized Employment

Estimated Time to Complete: 1 hour

Customized employment is a process for achieving competitive integrated employment or self-employment through a relationship between employee and employer that is personalized to meet the needs of both. It is a universal strategy that benefits many people, including people with disabilities who might not have found success through other employment strategies. Customized employment is not a program, but a set of principles and strategies that seek positive community employment outcomes for people with complex challenges. This module provides detailed information to effectively implement the customized employment process.

Preparing and Planning with Youth for Community Employment

Estimated Time to Complete: 2 hours

This module describes and examines the processes for effective assessment and planning to support successful transition of youth to adult life and employment. It includes strategies for effectively planning with youth and families to develop cohesive, comprehensive adult life plans to build the skills and experiences youth need to achieve community employment and a meaningful adult life.

Emotional Vulnerability

Estimated Time to Complete: 1 hour

This module will provide information on the characteristics of ASD with regard to emotional vulnerability.

Sensory Differences

Estimated Time to Complete: 1 hour

In this module, you will learn about the eight senses and how our bodies use the information gathered by these senses to participate in daily activities. The module will also focus on the sensory differences that are often experienced by people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and explore how the sensory differences may impact their day-to-day behavior and function.

Cognitive Differences

Estimated Time to Complete: 1 1/2 hours

Most individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have some unevenness in cognitive abilities - some cognitive area in which skills have not developed to the expected level, contrasted with other areas of cognitive functioning that are at or above age level. Indeed, atypical cognitive processing often underlies the challenges experienced by individuals on the spectrum. This module will describe these cognitive differences and discuss their impact on behavior and learning.

Task Analysis

Estimated Time to Complete: 2 hours

Task analysis is the process of breaking a skill into smaller, more manageable steps in order to teach the skill. As the smaller steps are mastered, the learner becomes increasingly independent in his or her ability to perform the larger skill. This module will provide information on task analysis.

Prompting

Estimated Time to Complete: 2 1/2 hours

Prompting procedures include any assistance given to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that assist them in using a specific skill. Prompting can be used to teach a variety of skills, including seeking information, pointing to objects, initiating and responding to greetings, and remaining "on task." The use of prompting procedures increases the probability that individuals with ASD use target skills correctly. This module will provide information on the various types of prompts, the steps required for least-to-most prompting and guidance on implementing prompting with fidelity.

Transition-Aged Youth and Adults with ASD Course Post-Assessment

Post-assessment for Transition-Aged Youth and Adults with ASD course.