What’s After High School for Teens with Special Needs?

By Dawn Ilardi | November 12, 2024

Young adults with a history of developmental differences may not follow the same path as their peers.  It’s easy to feel lost when counseling centers and teachers focus primarily on transition to a 4-year college.  This may not be the path your teen should take.   

You can start by looking at your teen’s strengths and level of supports during high school. These will set the stage for what to consider next:

  • What is their level of independence for age-typical responsibilities (e.g., cooking a meal, running errand, laundry, taking medication, scheduling an appointment, etc)? 
  • What are your teen’s academic interests?  What is their grade level for reading, math and writing (or spelling)?
  • Do they have a neurodevelopmental disorder, such as autism, learning disability (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia), or ADHD?
  • What are their non-academic strengths that could be related to a job (e.g., animals, young children, helping others, being outdoors, hardworking)?
  • Have they held a job? Do they drive?
  • Do they connect easily with peers and adults? Any social concerns?
  • Do they need supports for motor or sensory?
  • Do they need support for mental health symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, OCD, behavior challenges)?

Opportunities during high school

If your teen attends public high school, they may have had a Transition Service Plan as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP).  This plan is developed before age 16 to support goals after high school.  Read this plan carefully in the IEP.   Work closely with your teen and the school team to set realistic and practical goals. This often starts with an interview between the school counselor and teen.  Sometimes students have limited self-awareness about what is realistic.  For example, although many teens love the idea of being a “video game designer”, this is not realistic for most.  Your teen needs to consider different possibilities, and they may need guidance from adults who know them well.

Regardless of being in a public or private high school, ask about any classes or community resources, such as:

  • Career & Technical Education programing (in public schools)
  • Life skills classes
  • Job shadowing
  • Work-based learning programs
  • Mentorship programs
  • Community participation

College, vocational/trade school, or an apprenticeship

Your teen might be considering a formal educational or training program after high school. You might be looking for a school that specializes in students with special needs, such as a 2- or 4-year college. Alternatively, your teen might be looking for a program that teaches specific skills or trades.  Parents often don’t realize that there are accommodations and modifications that can be requested based on your teen’s needs in high school, such as:

  • Special student housing
  • Reduced (part-time) academic courseload
  • Priority registration for classes
  • Access to free tutoring or instructional help (e.g., Writing, Math, etc)
  • Participation in study skills classes
  • Extra time and small group testing
  • Copy of notes from a class notetaker
  • Permission to record lectures
  • Ability to take oral rather than written tests
  • And more (depending on the setting)

Employment

For some teens, finding a job is the best step after high school.  For teens who have not yet had a job experience, a nonpaid volunteer experience (with or without a parent) can be a first step, followed by part-time and then full time employment. Gradually increasing the level of demands and responsibility can make the transition easier. Consider some of the following:

  • Contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to schedule an appointment and get help with the job search
  • Search online job databases for adults with disabilities, such as the following:
  • Search your area for “job fairs for special needs adults”, some of which are online
  • Contact large companies in your community that have employment programs specifically for special needs adults (e.g., grocery store chain).
  • If you know a local small business, talk with the owner about any shadowing, mentoring, or part-time job opportunities.
  • Support your teen through the application and interview process. Consider mock interviews to practice answering personal questions.  Help your teen find ways to put into words their strengths and weakness, and what they need to be successful (e.g., counting money is difficult so working cash register is not a good fit; but a friendly and polite disposition will be great for talking with customers).

Legal and financial planning

Some teens will need long-term supports from their family because they are not able to function independently.  Here are some important considerations:

  • If your teen will not be able to make adult decisions once they turn 18 years old (e.g., financial, health, etc), you will want legal assistance to explore options for guardianship and power of attorney.  Asking your pediatrician for referrals.
  • It will be helpful to talk with a financial advisor if you would like to consider a special needs trust. 
  • Your teen may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).  If your teen is in a large healthcare system, some departments have social workers who can help get this started.

Healthcare transition

  • Plan well in advance for any changes in health insurance once your teen is an adult.  Sometimes the application process is complex and delayed. Will your teen be eligible for Medicaid or will they use private insurance?
  • When and how will your teen transition from pediatric to adult healthcare providers? Depending on the complexity and specialty, there may be a formal process.  Sometimes it makes sense to do this in stages, or with one provider at a time.  
  • Help your teen take responsibility for aspects of their healthcare as appropriate (e.g., scheduling appointments, checking medical records, talking privately with medical team without adult present, etc).
  • Your teen may be presented paperwork for an Advanced Directive once they become an adult. Help them understand what this will mean.
  • If your teen will have ongoing mental health needs, plan well in advance of transition to an adult provider because a good fit for counseling or psychiatric supports can be especially difficult due to the low number of providers available.

Community and recreational involvement

  • Search your local community for recreational activities for your teen’s interests. They need to stay active and connected, doing the things that matter to them.
  • If your teen will spend more time at home, slowly increase chores and errands as appropriate so they can contribute to the family. 
  • What will be your teen’s transportation options? Is there public transportation, and does this need to be specific to adult with special needs?  What about adaptive driving programs at rehabilitation centers near you? 

If you are unsure how to support your teen after high school, and have unanswered questions about their strengths and weaknesses, your teen may benefit from a neuropsychological evaluation.  We would be happy to consult with you by phone to provide initial recommendations.  Reach out to us by email to learn more: [email protected]

Related posts:

Psychoeducational vs. Neuropsychological Evaluation If Your Child Needs Help in the Public Schools… How do attention problems and executive functioning challenges affect your child? Does My Child Need Help?
Posted in ADHD, Adult Transition, Autism, Dyslexia, Executive Functioning, Learning, Medical, Neurodevelopment, Teens