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Recursos en Español

Para encontrar recursos de ASERT que han sido traducidos al español, haga clic aquí.
To find ASERT resources that have been translated into Spanish, click here.

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Adulting in Progress Resource Collection

Transitions & Future Planning

Transitioning Your Teen to Adulthood

While parents of teens with autism face many uncertainties as their teen grows and matures, one of their biggest concerns is how the teen will transition into adulthood. Good planning that starts early and is individualized can make a big difference. There are five keys to a successful transition.

Future Planning

This resource, developed by ASERT, provides information on direct support staff on how they can support individuals with autism to plan for their futures.

Key Transition Resources

This list is an overview of some of the transition resources that ASERT references most frequently.

Housing & Independent Living

Housing Resource Collection

This resource collection provides information on how to find housing, legal considerations, financial assistance and considerations for adults with autism.

Promoting Independent Living While Still in School

There are many aspects of independence for a young person with a disability and family members to consider. Independence can be defined as the ability to decide how a person wants to live, participate, and access community resources as well as the level of supports that a person may need to be successful. As early as 14 years of age, youth and families are encouraged to look at programs available at the school. Such programs include courses, activities at the school, and related services for which the student is entitled.

Shopping Tips for Adults with Autism

While shopping is a necessary part of life for an adult with autism, it can also cause anxiety. This information sheet provides tips and suggestions for planning your next shopping trip.

Am I Ready to Learn How to Drive?

Learning to drive a car can be both exciting and scary. This #ASDNext guide helps you know if you have the necessary skills required to be a good driver. Ask yourself the questions in each section of this resource to see if you may be ready to start learning how to drive.

Relationships & Social Life

Conflict Resolution

Conflict can happen when people start to disagree or feel hurt because of something another person did. Sometimes people see things different ways or want something to change. If conflict is handled poorly, things can get worse. If handled correctly, people will start to feel better and relationships can grow stronger. This resource includes tips to help handle conflict.

Social Events & Meeting People Resource Collection

This is a bundle of resources aimed at helping individuals with autism prepare for social events and how to navigate meeting new people.

Dating Resources for Individuals with Autism

These resources provide information and tips for individuals with autism on topics related to dating.

Money & Financial Skills

Developing a Budget

This resource provides information for individuals with autism on the importance of developing a budget and steps to create one for themselves.

Understanding Credit Cards

A credit card is a way to pay for things by borrowing money from a credit card company. It is a way to buy something now but pay for it later.

What to Know About Bank Accounts

Bank accounts help individuals save money and pay for goods and services. Having and managing a bank account is an important step to becoming more independent. This information sheet provides general tips and information about bank accounts.

Health

Affordable Care Act Toolkit for Self-Advocates

This resource has been developed to equip self-advocates with autism to understand and navigate the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Leaving the Pediatrician

Although many teens with autism receive help with the transition to adult services, very few are prepared for another vital transition, that from pediatric doctors to providers who treat adults.

A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Medicaid

This resource provides information about Medicaid for individuals with autism, including a visual, easy to read version as well as a plain text version.

Medical Social Story Collection

This page features a collection of medical social stories developed by the ASERT team. These resources are designed to help people understand how medical procedures and exams can challenge individuals with autism. These social stories provide information on what to expect when you receive medical tests and undergo procedures in a clinical setting.

Education & Training

Educational Differences Between High School and College

This information sheet highlights some of the differences students experience between high school and college.

Differences Between Secondary and Post-Secondary Educational Settings

These information sheets highlight some of the differences in disability laws as well as expectations of students and teachers as they relate to secondary and post-secondary educational settings.

College Information for Individuals with Autism

This resource provides a practical guide to help people with disabilities who want to pursue their education goals at a community college, career institute, four-year college, university, or graduate school. This resource highlights important information for students.

Options Other Than College

College isn't the right path for everyone, but it can be difficult to know what other options are out there. This resource will help explain what else individuals can do.

Employment

Employment Resource Collection

This is a collection of resources focused on employment, aimed at helping individuals with autism find, and keep jobs.

Employment Information for Individuals with Autism

Whether it is preparing a resume or requesting an accommodation, it is important to know where you can find additional information to help you with the employment process. Below is information on employment that we hope will be helpful in preparing for your next step!

Career Planning Suggestions for Transition

This guide provides helpful tips and suggestions for teens and young adults with autism as they prepare for the transition into the workforce. As you think about, and plan for, a career after high school, consider taking these steps.

Meeting Etiquette

This resource for individuals with autism provides main guidelines on setting up and attending in-person and virtual meetings.

Unspoken Workplace Norms/Nuances

Workplace norms and nuances, like unspoken rules, cultural behaviors, and communication cues can be difficult to understand. They can change at different workplaces, but this resource was designed by an autistic self-advocate to help you understand some of the ones that can apply to any workplace.

Self-Advocacy & Civic Life

Self-Advocacy Information for Individuals with Autism

This fact sheet from the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) provides guidance for parents on how to discuss self-advocacy with their child, as well as resources for understanding self-advocacy.

Civic Engagement

Learning about how the government works and making sure that the people we elect to government listen to us.

10 Tips for Voters with Disabilities

This resource from the US Election Assistance Commission provides tips about the voting process and options available to help voters with disabilities vote privately and independently.

Benefits, Waivers & Financial Assistance

Adult Autism Programs: AAW & ACAP

Pennsylvania offers two programs for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through the Bureau of Autism Services (BAS): the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) and the Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP). Both programs are designed for residents of Pennsylvania who are age 21 and older and have a diagnosis of autism. These programs are evidence-based and outcome-driven models which have been designed to assist participants in gaining the greatest level of independence possible, encourage involvement in community life, improve social skills and provide support to caregivers.

Medicaid Waivers for Individuals with Autism

This page is about Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers in Pennsylvania. HCBS Waivers are a type of Medicaid program that provides long-term services and supports to groups of people who need support to live in their communities.

Assistance with Electric and Utility Bills

Paying bills and managing a budget can be difficult, especially on a fixed income. This information sheet provides information about programs available in Pennsylvania to assist individuals with electric and other utility bills.

Assistance with Medical Bills

With the rising cost of medical services it can be difficult to afford appropriate and necessary care. This resource provides information on organizations that may be able to help with the costs of healthcare.

Social Security for Individuals with Autism

Social Security pays disability payments to people who can't work because they have a medical condition that's expected to last at least one year or result in death. This resource will explain the different types of Social Security available to individuals with autism, how to apply for both children and adults, what to expect in a case review, and more.

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This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.