Your Child Is Becoming an Adult: Our Next Steps Classes

In this Autism Blog post, 3 of the Next Steps instructors – Karen Sporn, ARNP; Kerri Morales, RN; and Joy Gehner, Family Advocate Case Manager – talk about how this class helps families, and why they enjoy teaching it.

What is the biggest benefit for parents and caregivers of taking the Next Steps classes?

Joy Gehner: I took this class about 10 years ago, before I started working here, because I have a daughter with autism. Back then when she was 16, it helped me so much to get an overview of all the different aspects of the transition to adulthood and adult services. There’s a lot to think about and plan for: moving on from school to a job or other activities; support with decision-making; moving from pediatric to adult healthcare; legal and financial planning; housing options. Parents and caregivers leave Next Steps with a good idea of what to expect in the next few years for their young person, and an understanding that this new phase will take time to figure out just like the childhood phase did.

Karen Sporn: Next Steps is a great way for families to learn about many different types of available resources that may be a good fit for their young adult. For example, we talk about state and federal benefits they might qualify for, and agencies and services they may find helpful. In this class we also talk about strategies for working with their young adult to create their plan for adulthood, and build on it or change it over time.

Kerri Morales: I think the biggest benefit for parents or caregivers taking Next Steps is that they get basic knowledge of all the things that need to be done as their children are transitioning to adulthood. And we share resources they take with them so they can delve deeper into each of the subjects that apply to their own teen and family when they’re ready.

What are things you’ve seen make a difference for families that they learned about in a Next Steps class?

KS: Sometimes it’s the small things you wouldn’t think are so important. One family was excited to learn about driving schools that offer specialized driving instruction for autistic individuals. The teen was really excited to have the opportunity to learn, and their parents were so happy about the extra support!

JG: In the first class we talk about how this transition can feel overwhelming, or even scary – there’s a lot of emotion parents and caregivers, and teens themselves, might be experiencing. I think people are comforted when they understand they’re not alone in having these feelings. Another thing I see is families sharing what they’ve learned about things like supported decision-making agreements and guardianship – these legal options are complex and this class is a place where others are wrestling with the same questions.

What do you most enjoy about teaching Next Steps?

KM: I enjoy teaching Next Steps because I have experienced what parents in the class are going through, when my son was at that same point in his life. I wish I had been able to take a Next Steps class to help navigate everything in that transition period. I also enjoy hearing parents help other parents with ideas. These caregivers have often been on this autism journey for years, and they’re comfortable sharing what they’ve learned when another family has a challenge they’ve already gone through.

KS: The best part is when parents share information about their teens, and when parents share information between each other. I learn things from parents as well!

Additional Resources

Find resources for navigating the transition to adulthood on our Autism Center Patient and Family Education page (scroll all the way down to find the “Transitioning to Adulthood” header) and here:

• Next Steps: Transitioning to Adulthood for Youth with Autism
• Autism and Transition to Adulthood: Overview and Planning Tools (Spanish)
• Autism and Transition to Adulthood: Guardianship, Conservatorship and Other Legal Considerations (Spanish)
• Transitioning to Adult Healthcare
• Future Planning 101 (The Arc)