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Developing Effective Transition Plans

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Empowering Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Transitions are a source of anxiety and stress for many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Transitions can involve both big changes, as children move into and out of school (vertical), and more frequent transitions between activities or environments (horizontal). This chapter describes how parents can utilise the Cycle of Learning to help their children manage different transitions in their lives. Sheila’s story is presented to demonstrate how one mother worked with her son and a team of educators and service providers to create and implement a transition plan to support her son and develop his skills as he transitioned into high school and prepared to move between classes. Research on key components of transition planning is presented, and strategies for supporting students are suggested. Finally, Sheila’s vertical and horizontal transition plans are provided as an example of steps and strategies that parents can use to support their children with ASD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia

    Amanda Webster

  2. Learning Sciences Institute, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    Joy Cumming

  3. Coorparoo, Queensland, Australia

    Susannah Rowland

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  1. Amanda Webster
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  2. Joy Cumming
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  3. Susannah Rowland
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Webster, A., Cumming, J., Rowland, S. (2017). Developing Effective Transition Plans. In: Empowering Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2084-1_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2084-1_9

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  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-2084-1

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