The Importance of Transition Programming
Transition Services are an important piece of the Autism Model School’s approach to developing the full-potential of students. The school’s Transition Program provides a coordinated set of activities that are results-oriented with a focus on academic, functional achievement.
The Autism Model School Career Advising Policy outlines the school’s plan to provide related career advising services to our students. The aim of Transition Programming is to provide students with pathways to post-graduate success.
Planning for Transition Services begins when students turn 14 years old. There are currently more than 50 students enrolled in the Autism Model School’s Transition Program. While students vary greatly in their levels of vocational skills, some plans may include:
- Post-secondary Education
- Integrated Employment
- Vocational Education
- Adult Services
- Independent Living
- Community Participation
- Self-Employment (Micro-Enterprise)
- Day Habilitation Programs
Opportunities On Campus
While many groups of students gain experience traveling throughout the community, opportunities to gain valuable workplace skills also exist within the walls of the school. These opportunities include:
- Cleaning/Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Small Assembly Projects
- Cooking/Food Prep
- Gardening/Landscaping
- Beaded Jewelry
- Vending Machine (stocking)
- Simulated Work Lab (PAES)
On-campus work experiences are guided by students’ participation in the PAES Lab, which provides hands-on, stimulated work experiences across five domains:
- Business and Marketing
- Consumer Service
- Construction and Industrial
- Computer Technology
- Processing and Production
Opportunities Off Campus
Community-based, off campus work experiences are guided by students’ completion of the Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS), which is a series of assessments and comprehensive task analyses that extend across three domains:
- Basic Living Skills
- Home Living Skills
- Community Participation Skills
Partner with AMS Today!
The school is extremely grateful for the local companies who provide our students with job shadowing opportunities. Their support is a true reflection of the Autism Model School’s mission of partnership in action.
The school remains open to expanding connections within the local business community. This will give students an even wider range of experience, which will guide them as they move forward after graduation. Some of the benefits to providing students with job placements include:
- Improved Employee Moral
- Enhanced Reputation in the Community
- Expanded Pool of Potential Applicants
- The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
The Autism Model School offers assistance to partnering organizations, which includes monitoring student progress in the following three areas:
- Attendance and punctuality
- Work performance and output
- Communication and cooperation with supervisors and co-workers
If interested in partnering with the school to provide a workplace opportunity for students, please contact the office at 419-897-4400.