Adolescent Transition Program
Nationwide Children's Hospital's Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders Adolescent Transition Program provides services to adolescents and young adults (ages 12-22) and their families as they prepare for the transition to adulthood. Youth served include individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual disability (ID).
Our team includes psychologists, behavior analysts, counselors/social workers, transition specialists, resource clinicians and behavior technicians who specialize in caring for autistic individuals. We offer services in office, at home, within the community and school settings, and by telehealth.
Individual Services
- Focuses on increasing emotional regulation and coping skills for managing mental health concerns in individuals who have an intellectual disability*
- Provides 1:1 intervention with the individual and their caregivers
- Includes school consultation and community-based services as needed
*Want to learn about mental health supports for individuals with ASD without intellectual or language impairment? Learn about the Outpatient Psychotherapy Program here.
- Focuses on increasing adaptive and functional skills and reducing mild to moderate problem behavior
- Provides 1:1 intervention with the individual and training for caregivers and providers
- Includes school consultation and community-based services as needed
- Focuses on job exploration and training aimed at teaching employability skills and preparing individuals for employment
- Provides 1:1 office-based, pre-employment skill building sessions with the individual
- Includes Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders services and support to interns accepted into the Nationwide Children’s Project SEARCH program
- Focuses on support and planning for next steps when graduating from high school and transitioning to adulthood
- Provides services to individuals, caregivers and school teams, and link patients and their families to community agencies
- Includes teaching skills relevant to independence as needed
- Provides transition resources such as Autism and Developmental Disabilities Transition Roadmap
Adolescent Group Services
Adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and individuals diagnosed with intellectual disability (ID) and their families may benefit from learning many skills in a group format. We offer several forms of group intervention, primarily based on age and need. Groups are offered on a rotating basis throughout the year.
- 6-week summer program, ages 10-16
- Aims to improve independence through group activities
- Focuses on areas such as:
- Social and emotional coping skills
- Health and wellness skills
- Recreation and leisure skills
- 6-week group service, ages 12-16
- Focuses on helping individuals manage difficult or uncomfortable feelings by:
- Exploring and practicing many coping and relaxation strategies
- Identifying times when coping skills may be needed
- Developing a personalized “toolbox” of strategies
- 5-week summer program, ages 16+
- Focuses on:
- Developing entry level employability skills
- Enhancing self-esteem and social skills
- Learning about jobs through career exploration
- 10-week group service, ages 10+
- Focuses on developing a variety of social skills including:
- Improving conversation skills
- Creating and keeping friendships
- Improving communication across different relationships
- 6-week group service for caregivers of youth ages 12+
- Focuses on preventing and treating behavioral and emotional challenges in adolescents and young adults by:
- Teaching strategies to prevent problems in the family, school, and community
- Creating family environments that encourage children to realize their potential
- Topics discussed include:
- Positive parenting
- Managing problem behavior
- Encouraging appropriate behavior
- Dealing with risky behavior specific to teenagers
Crisis Support
If you have concerns about serious injury to your child or others, call 911. Please review the "Crisis Information" tab here for mental health crisis support resources.
