Good practices in transitions
The section for professionals contains information about good practices. These practices are helpful when working with young people with ASD, particularly in transitions. The examples were gathered during the discussions held in the joint development teams of the professionals working on the project.
Gaining independence
- Anticipate transitions. Practising and preparing for the change early enough, for example with the help of moving training or neuropsychiatric coaching, can help the young person.
- Include young people with ASD already in the planning stages! Good cooperation between the young person, parents and professionals is essential. Anticipating, taking small steps and, for instance, practising life skills with an instructor will help the young person as they go through the change. The routines and structure of the childhood home also become more important when moving into your own home.
- Work together and support the parents during the independence process of the young person.
Further studies
- Make realistic plans. Inform the young person and their parents about the various study options, the forms of support related to study and adjustment opportunities.
- Organize a visit in advance. Make preparations and arrange a chance for the young person to visit the prospective place, for example before going to a new school or before on-the-job learning.
- Organize support in upper secondary education as well. It is important to support the young person and inform them about their possibility to obtain support as they transition from comprehensive to upper secondary education. For example, you can customize their study pace and consider the need for adjustments and support.
- Designate a person whom the young person can contact if they need support. Do not leave it up to the young person to find this contact information.
Tools for customer work!
- Get to know your customer and become familiar with their life situation. Try to be sensitive of all the customer’s challenges. Do not leave them alone in the jungle of services, but find out and tell them where and how they can get support.
- Do not rely on the customer to be an expert in the service system, but work on their behalf to find out what services are available across all sectors. Explain to the customer what services are available, what could be helpful to the customer and how they can apply for services. Describe the service options to the customer clearly and thoroughly and explain how the services may affect each other.
- Make sure the customer receives the service that meets their need and is given at the right time.
- When you organize a network meeting, invite all the professionals who work with the customer to attend. The customer can invite their family members to meeting. Make sure that the meeting drives things forward and that the decisions provide concrete help. Build a network for yourself across sectoral boundaries. Discuss the customer’s needs and services with other service providers while maintaining confidentiality.
- Try to facilitate a customer-oriented approach in services with your personal actions and attitude. Take part in development and trials and express your opinions.
