(HS Sibbald 058911 2022) Lights, Camera, Empowerment! Neurodiversity and the Transition to Independence

Course overview

Are your clients ready for their next step? Transition to adulthood, including attending college or starting employment, is a time of significant change for many individuals. For neurodivergent individuals, excitement and anticipation of this change is frequently coupled with a sense of nervousness about how to manage these next important steps. Many times, as individuals in "helping" professions, we work hard on ensuring that every accommodation and support is put into place for our children and clients. Where we fall short, is allowing for opportunities of exploration and autonomy within a structured setting. This way, clients learn their best practices, and how to advocate for them. It is critical that therapists, educators, and all stakeholders consider post-secondary transition needs and make a targeted plan to support a student's journey to independence. In this session, transition planning best practices are used to consider therapeutic outcomes and to support targeted goal setting. A variety of evidence-based methods for promoting dynamic learning, self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-advocacy strategies to build a student's personal autonomy are discussed. Attendees will be provided with strategies ready for immediate use.