Tag: Post-Secondary Transition Programs for Special Needs

Posted in Autism, Down syndrome, Education and Special Needs

Blog #132~Countdown to the End of School

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

#132~Countdown to the End of School

countdown-timer

The clock is ticking, and rapidly might I add.  Coming off the holidays, I’ve hit the ground running.  You see in less than a month my son, Nick will be aging out of the school system.  He is 21 years old and has Down syndrome and autism.  The day before his 22nd birthday will be the final day that the little yellow bus stops coming to the door.

yellow-bus

We’ve been preparing for this day for months.  The post-secondary transition program he is attending (STEPS) has done an excellent job to map out a plan for this to be a seamless transition.  Last Friday, Nick visited the new facility (an adult day program).  His speech therapists took pictures and made a social story for Nick.  A person with autism benefits from having a visual schedule.  If they can see it, they can understand it.  This helps with reducing anxiety levels.  Here are a few of pictures from the social story:

Adult Day program site……

Keeler

Nick in the gym….

Nick gym

Nick will have a recycling job, elbows to that!

Nick recycling

Starting this week, Nick will be going to the new facility for half the day on Tuesday and Thursday.  The next couple of weeks he will expand his time there.

The other piece of the puzzle is transportation.  We have to insure that Nick can utilize the Ride DuPage successfully on his own. He will be doing some practice runs with his job coach. Then, if all goes well on his own with someone to meet him at curbside. We have requested a car to pick up rather than a bus.  This is the piece of the puzzle that keeps me up at night.  It’s uncharted territory that is giving me anxiety.  Nick actually does well in the car as he likes to be on the go.  Just make sure the window and door locks are set, he has some tappers to stim on and nothing to throw at the driver. I should pick up some Windex wipes so he can wipe the snot rockets off the window as well.  🙂

As the clock is ticking, I’m busy getting him to doctor and dentist appointments, arranging for a new  talker device and case (his current AAC device has to be given back to STEPS) and working with insurance to hopefully get speech and occupational therapy set up in his  new program.  In addition, the waiver to which Nick receives funding thru the state will need to be switched from the child to the adult waiver (which will increase his funds to support the day program).  The pressure is on, this needs to work, it has to work.  Nick needs to be in a structured program.  And this is an excellent one with a caring and qualified staff.  And I need to keep teaching my fitness classes and have my own life (and sanity).  Wish us luck, that’s what is in my “nervous” noggin this week.

~Teresa

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Posted in Autism, Down syndrome, Education and Special Needs

Blog #103~Vocations for a Person with Special Needs

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

Blog #103~Vocations for a Person with Special Needs

Some 20 years ago when my son was born with Down syndrome, I wondered what kind of job Nick could do when he became an adult. I found myself gravitating to the checkout lines with the baggers who had Down syndrome.  Like a stalker I watched them work and interact with customers.   I’d ask for a carry out so I could chat more and offer up a huge tip.  I found a lot of hope in such moments.

Those dreams were crushed when autism ravaged my son’s mind and body. His speech would not come as it should have.  His behaviors were strange with all the stimming and worst yet, they became unpredictable.  Autism robbed his chance of being the best that he could have been with just Down syndrome.

Hope came back while Nick was in high school. In Blog #57~Community Jobs and Nick,  I wrote about what jobs he held out in the community. The link is @https://nickspecialneeds.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/blog-3-getting-your-goat/

Nick working at Re-Store (Habitat for Humanity)…..

Nick packaging door knobs_Habitat_4 (2)

Nick takes a lot of pride in his work.  Okay so, he might have pulled a fire alarm at his vacuuming job at a nursing home (woopsie).But for the most part he participated well in all his jobs.

Nick working at Tabor Hills 🙂 ………..

Nick tabor hills

Fast forward to the present, Nick finished high school and attends a post-secondary transition program. In this program the students work in house on job skills, are employed in the community, and some take college classes.  While Nick participates in production and vocational work in the school building, he no longer works out in the community.  His unpredictable behavior, especially the fire alarm pulls (30 since third grade) put him at too much risk to hold a job.  Reality has sunk in. 😦

I’m not going to lie. It’s a kick in the gut. The daunting task now is to come up with a plan.  How will Nick occupy his days once the bus stops coming to the door (at age 22)? I reached out to some of his teachers from high school awhile back.  (Originally I planned to make Blog #100 to be “100 Cool Things About Nick” That was way too ambitious and long.)  But here are a few things they sent to me that fit nicely here:

From Mrs. Hunt (his primary teacher and case worker):

“Nick has great functional skills! I’ve seen him help with a variety of chores and complete personal care routines better than some typical teens! Nick is a hard worker and loves to vacuum. Nick has a hilarious sense of humor! His laugh and smile are contagious, even when he’s being a stinker- which makes behavior management even tougher. Nick is clever and perseveres. When he’s determined, he’s going to have his way. Elbow bumps- this is how I know who has a good relationship with Nick. His elbow bumps make a person feel awesome.  I love that the last time I saw him, he still gave me one.  I love that Nick is a typical young man at heart- burps and fart jokes so funny.” 

Being silly with Ms. R, his aide in high school 🙂

Devil horns

His vocational teacher, Ms. Stoodley offered up some ideas for possible jobs for Nick: 

  • Dancer
  • Happiness Creator
  • Adult Education Educator (all of us that he has taught and made better)
  • Vacuuming expert
  • Fire alarm Coordinator
  • Siren Director 
  • Professor of Dumping
  • Screw Sorter Assistant

 

I am slowly digesting the fact that Nick may not be able to work in the community. We need to look at his strengths, then create a meaningful day for him where he is productive and happy.  He is a “happiness creator” even in the midst of creating chaos. So yes, there is uncertainty regarding his future.  We have 17 month to figure things out.  Stay tuned……

That’s what is in my noggin’ this week,

~Teresa