The PAAL Business Council Gloria Satriale Preparing Adolescents

The PAAL Business Council Gloria Satriale Preparing Adolescents for Adult Life (PAAL) Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed. D. Organization for Autism Research (OAR) Lou Chance, B. S. Preparing Adolescents for Adult Life (PAAL)

“If you meet one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism. ” Stephen Shore l “PAAL is not one program but 6 programs, one for each student. The community is their classroom” Gloria Satriale

Why PAAL Exists… l l l l Dearth of functionally relevant transition services nationwide Continued reports of poor social and employment outcomes for adults on the spectrum Limited professional interest in older learners With a growing cohort of adolescents with autism there is a DIRE need to develop more, and more effective, transition programs Parents of these individuals are committed to expanding effective options for their children Subsequently, there is a need for highly trained staff to work with older learners To involve the community shareholders in the lives of PAAL’s students

The Universe of Desirable Skills The Universe of Skills at Age 5 Years The Universe of Skills Usually Defined as Transition Skills The Universe of Skills at Age 21 Years

So how did it go in the community? Instruction starts where the need begins! *Gloria Satriale

Characteristics of PAAL’s Transition Instruction l l l Instruction and goals are relevant across multiple environments A continual programmatic focus through the functional use of skills Aware of individual and family preferences, as well as community demands Focused on the pragmatic use of communication Including attention to the social skill dimension of most activities In general, extremely hard work

Instruction and support in the community

Issues related to employment development We need to redefine work readiness

Issues related to employment development Developmental jobs build to long term success

Issues related to employment development Job carving will be your best friend

Issues related to employment development Co-workers will need to be trained to promote social inclusion on the job

Issues related to employment development Job match considerations are at the core of long term success relevant to quality of life

Issues related to employment development Coordinate with the Business Community

The PAAL Business Council: Why You Are Here l l l Inform us as the needs of the Chester County Business Community Help us translate our student’s competencies in a way that businesses find desirable Networking, networking Provide us with direct consumer input Provide, as needed, consultation and support Assist in the development of increasingly diverse employment opportunities for PAAL students.