Five Steps for Developing Effective Transition Plans for High School Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Writing individual education programs (IEPs) for students with autism spectrum disorder who are transitioning out of high school can pose unique challenges for teachers. The purpose of this article is to present a five step process for developing thoughtful and individualized school programs for students with autism spectrum disorder as they prepare to transition to adult living. Specifically, we encourage educators to (1) determine post school goals using transition assessments, (2) link post-secondary goals with IEP goal areas and common core state standards, (3) write well-crafted goals, (4) provide opportunities to teach skills, and (5) evaluate progress. We also discuss common errors associated with transition IEPs for students with autism spectrum disorder and suggest ways to avoid these pitfalls. By giving careful attention to creating high-quality transition plans, educators will better prepare students with autism spectrum disorder for post-secondary life.