Saturday, May 19, 2012

May 19, 2012

I began to further explore the different programs that states offer young adults diagnosed with Autism and what those programs can provide for that specific person. One program I found is called Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program; it's located in Texas. The program offers services to those students who meet the requirements and, who are graduating high school, an opportunity to receive transition planning services. Throughout the planning period, the students are prepared to move from receiving special education services to receiving vocational services. The program then helps to minimize any delays in the transition from school to employment or independence.

I find these programs intriguing, and I'm constantly wondering what else the school can provide for these children and young adults. I have an Aunt, who has a developmental delay. I know that one of her goals, according to my Grandma, was for her to be able to live independently. After she graduated high school and lived at home for a few years, working at the local restaurant, she moved into a group home. In that group home she lived with two other girls who were diagnosed with similar disabilities. These girls cooked for each other and split the rent and the bills. It was nice to see my Aunt be given the opportunity to live independently and see the skills that she was taught, not only at home but, at school be put into use.


http://www.dads.state.tx.us/tarrc/services/overviewofservicesforchildren.pdf

1 comment:

  1. I often wonder about the futures of the students I have worked with and can relate to your curiosity. This video clip you referenced reminds me of the University of Cincinnati program for people with disabilities higher education and development services. Once in one of my SPED classes at UC our professor welcomed the group of students with mild to moderate ranging disabilities and their teacher into our classroom to personally discuss and answer our questions about how UC has helped them to learn and master daily task as preparation for student graduate independence. They learned things like how to save and effectively use back accounts and check books, make grocery list and shop for goods and catch the city bus. Toward the end of our conversation the students shared with us their hopes for the future which most of them seemed excited or frighten by the idea of moving into a exclusive special needs community home facility with some of their friends and learning how to do things on more and more independently with the help of special education teachers and therapist and social support. Some of them told us about wanting to get married like his mom and dad and work as a firefighter like his brother others said they would be a pilot and travel the world. I felt that the opportunities the program they were in was so developmentally appropriate challenging just beyond their means in safe, nurturing and real life settings.

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