Transition to Adulthood
Here at Cutting Edge Pediatric & Adult Therapy (CEPT), we recognize the need to assist our clients with special needs in transitioning into their adulthood roles and opportunities. Many struggle with certain barriers to independence, e.g. executive functioning, social and emotional difficulties, which require additional services to improve participation and skill.
Take a moment and hear from one of our patients on how Cutting Edge helped her succeed through this transition.
You or your kiddo is getting older.
What are your options as this transition begins?
School District – Graduating on Time
School District – Aging Out
This option is ideal for a student who would benefit from continuing in the school district until the age of 21. Eligibility for this option can be discussed in a student’s ARD meeting. After a few more years of academics, we would be happy to discuss the next steps regarding academic, vocational, or personal goals for your young adult.
TWC Vocational Rehabilitation Services
This option is ideal for a young adult who demonstrates the ability to find and maintain a job or desires to start that process. Starting at the ages of 14-22, this process can begin early to best support the individual. At Cutting Edge, we are happy to walk with you through what job would best suit your teenager or young adult. (TWC=Texas Workforce Commission)
Custom Path
This option is ideal for a young adult who needs different support than some of the other options. This may include participating in a day habilitation program or living in a group home or community. At Cutting Edge, we are happy to create a custom path, in collaboration with you, that will best suit your teenager or young adult.
School District – Graduating on Time
School District – Aging Out
This option is ideal for a student who would benefit from continuing in the school district until the age of 21. Eligibility for this option can be discussed in a student’s ARD meeting. After a few more years of academics, we would be happy to discuss the next steps regarding academic, vocational, or personal goals for your young adult.
TWC Vocational Rehab Services
This option is ideal for a young adult who demonstrates the ability to find and maintain a job or desires to start that process. Starting at the ages of 14-22, this process can begin early to best support the individual. At Cutting Edge, we are happy to walk with you through what job would best suit your teenager or young adult. (TWC=Texas Workforce Commission)
Custom Path
This option is ideal for a young adult who needs different support than some of the other options. This may include participating in a day habilitation program or living in a group home or community. At Cutting Edge, we are happy to create a custom path, in collaboration with you, that will best suit your teenager or young adult.
What should you do to facilitate success on your chosen path?
One of the first things to facilitate success on your chosen path is to create a plan for the next 5-10 years. Then, you can break down that plan into smaller steps to make it more attainable for your child or young adult. When thinking of the next steps on the path, it is important to think of your child or young adult in a holistic approach (physical, cognitive, behavioral) and think about what support may be needed at each step. While a plan may be created initially, it is also important to understand that changes to the plan may be necessary as you proceed on your path. Reaching out to the community, through advocacy groups or social media groups can also be beneficial in providing resources when navigating a specific path.
How can Cutting Edge’s Transition to Adulthood Services help you succeed?
Cutting Edge’s Transition to Adulthood Services can help you succeed by creating short-term and long-term goals for your child or young adult. With the help from a multidisciplinary team (OT, PT, ST, counseling, ABA) and in collaboration with you, a comprehensive Transition to Adulthood plan can be created. In our clinic, we have various resources, such as a mock grocery store, an apartment with a working kitchen and laundry machine, and a fully functional coffee shop. We are also able to provide you with resources in the community, whether it be day habilitation programs, group homes and communities, navigating insurance changes, or resources for next steps in pursuing education or a job. Additionally, Cutting Edge is equipped with various standardized and non-standardized forms of assessing the growth and ability of everyone.
Targeting areas for growth or deficits that could become barriers to your success
Some areas of growth or deficits that could become barriers to success are sensory dysregulation, decreased organization, decreased safety awareness, decreased emotional regulation, decreased social awareness, and decreased ability to navigate one’s environment. At Cutting Edge, we specialize in addressing all these areas to ensure our clients can successfully function in the community to the best of their abilities.
(Provides a detailed list of real-world adult skills that are of concern or are the goal for mastering)
The Goal Post
What is reasonable and achievable for you? Where are we going?
Independent Living
An individual may be appropriate for independent living if they demonstrate the appropriate safety awareness, motor skills, and cognitive skills for independent living. Whether it is an apartment, house, condo, or even a barndominium, we can assess the specific skills needed and make individualized goals for each setting.
Successful Employment
An individual may be appropriate for successful employment if they currently possess or can learn to possess the ability to find and maintain a job. Whether the concern is physical, cognitive, behavioral, or a combination, we can assess what kind of job would be the best for a teenager or young adult. Additionally, resources such as the Texas Workforce Commission can help aid you with this option.
A Day Program
An individual may be appropriate for a day program if they are looking to continue working on academic skills, vocational skills, daily life skills, and social skills. This option provides individuals with a sense of purpose and community on a daily basis. At Cutting Edge, we can help assist you in finding a local day program that would best support you or your young adult’s needs.