Autism Research and School Support
- Admin
- Jun 7
- 2 min read
Why do kids on the Autism Spectrum struggle after high school? What causes many students to struggle with this transition? And why do I keep thinking, what could have helped? In my graduate school studies I've come across superb resources around IEP planning, implementation, and monitoring as well as two centers for Autism research that I keep returning to. Most kids on the Autism Spectrum (who are actually diagnosed) have an Individualized Education Plan guiding the supports and services they receive in school. The IEP isn't just a plug-and-play document, it's the template for supporting and guiding healthy changes in a student. Many of my classes this year refer to these resources:
IRIS Center at Vanderbilt University: This immense program offers easily-navigable topics, tutorials, and strategies towards being a better teacher for Special Education students. Under the "Resources" tab on their homepage, the IRIS Resource Locator offers topics from accommodations, assistive technology, and IEPs to math, reading/writing, and transition. Most of my time has been in the professional development part of the website. I highly recommend checking them out!
The Progress Center is a resource focusing on strategies and tools for teachers, families, and administrators in supporting all students with disabilities through the school years and transition to adulthood. Their school-centered resources emphasize IEPs, family and community engagement, and tips for implementing best practices. I particularly like the section Resource Collections with their IEP tips sheets, Disability tip sheets, and the All Resources and Tools where you can filter the Audience to Family/Student.
Emory Autism Center at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta has resources related to services for those on the Autism Spectrum in Georgia as well as a database of searchable resources with a link to Parent to Parent of Georgia. The Parent to Parent section called Roadmap to Success organizes a list of specific topics from sports camps to community living options to help any parent seeking resources, specifically on transition.
Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at Johns Hopkins University focuses on research, training, and outreach for families and caregivers of Autistic individuals. Their link Learn About Our Work is fascinating with projects of Autism and Air Quality in China, ECHO Baby Teeth Project, and Combining Advances in Genomics and Environmental Science to Accelerate Actionable Research and Practice in ASD. Their work investigating the influences on the cause of Autism is impressive and hints at all of us better understanding factors leading to Autism and improving our knowledge in supporting this diverse population.
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