4 Ways Paraquad’s Transition Services Help Young Adults
The transition to adulthood is scary for any young adult. Adulthood comes with new responsibilities — attending college, securing a job, paying bills and more are all suddenly on your plate. For families of young adults with disabilities, this time can be even more challenging as they transition out of familiar support systems.
Paraquad assists individuals and their families early on, helping them plan for the future well before they leave school. Though we’re open to individuals at any age, our transition services typically assist individuals aged 16-21 years old in finding their path to independence. Read on to see four ways we ease the transition from school to adulthood.
Plans for the Future
Our services are person-centered, meaning we tailor each interaction to an individual’s wants and needs. Our specialists start by assessing transition goals for high school students and identifying where they eventually hope to be. Some want to attend college and others want to join the workforce immediately — bare minimum, most participants want to learn how to live on their own.
In our transition services, our youth specialists meet with individuals one-on-one to help them determine their interests and goals and then define the steps they will need to take to get there. We also host events with general goals in mind. For those searching for a career path, we host a transition camp every summer. The camp includes activities such as:
Mock interviews
Resume workshops
Lessons on finding and keeping a job
Lessons for Daily Living Skills
Independent living skills will be valuable in daily life as an adult. We want to ensure that all young adults feel prepared to participate fully in the community and economy as they enter this next stage of life.
Our specialists offer participants resources and experience that keep transition goals for high school students attainable. The young adult with a disability controls the process — success depends on their willingness to participate. Our transition services may cover a wide breadth of topics, including but not limited to:
Personal care
Housing options
Financial planning
Government programs & resources
Transportation needs
Communication
Self-advocacy skills
Connections to Other Transition Services
Paraquad is not limited to one service — or even the services we directly offer. Our information and referral team connects participants and their families with relevant information that addresses every concern.
For example, families of children about to turn 18 often turn to us to learn about the different types of benefits their child may be eligible to receive. After they find the right option, we help them navigate the Social Security application process.
Support Through Independence
Beyond our outlined transition services, Paraquad provides a community willing to provide emotional and social support through this period of transition. Our participants share similar circumstances, so getting to know one another can be a great comfort for them.
Transition goals for high school students are attainable with our team of experts at your side. If you or your loved one is interested in Paraquad’s youth transition services, contact our team at (314) 289-4200 or contactus@paraquad.org to get started.
