Best Resources for Career Researching - a "New" Field...(feeling "Called")

It is an up and coming field and need.
Imagine, parents with Down Syndrome kids, too.
In either scenario, once the "kid" is, a High Schooler or College aged person, there is no support services for them. Specialized, for them.
It is just adult day care etc. But, very few people are trained/educated in working with this specific poplation.

If you do it now, then you will be one of the 1st generation trained/educated cadre of Specialists, in this field.
And if it is a true calling for yourself, as you say, then you will like it. Even with the pitfalls of the system and stress.
But it takes one of many, to make a difference, right? Despite.
Because, nothing and no field/career, is trouble free.

There is no real "services" for HFA of the "adult" age. It is a whole new frontier, right?
And also per benefit systems etc. Because, they are of "adult" age and probably no longer a "dependent" etc. of course it is hard to get help that they need.
It takes changing an entire system.
From all angles.

My son has Asperger's and I can relate somewhat to the frustration of little support once kids are in middle and high school. For us, the answer became Newfound School. A school started by Dr. Wm. Robb and Dr. Marsha Guernsey (they were a married couple who worked in the traditional schools but then started their own school. Dr. Robb has since passed away). Anyway, I would recommend you call and talk with Dr. Guernsey at the school. She might be able to give you some good advice/guidance in your choice of careers. The web address is www.newfoundschool.com. Hope this helps!

I think this is a very important field, now and especially in the future. If you just google "young adults with autism" you will get a ton of resources and research on socialization, jobs, living skills. I glanced at a few of the articles and they have some info that might help you. The fact that UNT is now offering a degree program indicates the need for someone with knowledge in those areas. Jobs would probably be available in non-profits, education, healthcare, job training and other areas. This is a huge problem for families whose kids are aging out of the public education system.

GO FOR IT!

I went back for a Masters in Special Education in my mid-40's and it was the best decision I have ever made.

Even though I am working at the elementary level, I see the need for the services that you describe. The district where I work supports students up through 21, but after that... well, the struggles begin.

Transition services for post-high school will not only benefit the HFA community, but others as well. Further, I feel that not everybody is cut out for this kind of work- it truly is a 'calling' as you say. That tells me that you have the passion and commitment for this type of work, which is exactly what is needed.

Good luck to you! Please consider this!

You may want to try to get in touch with Traci, the founder of the Brett Woodall foundation in Irving.
http://woodallkids.org/

I have been stewing on this for a few hours hoping I would understand but I still don't get it. My son is socially out there, he isn't stupid. He worked with his high school guidance counselor and created his freshman schedule. Heavy on math and computers because he wants to code.

Where exactly is there a special need there?

Next year we will start researching what universities have the best programs for what he wants to do. A good possibility is UMSL here in St Louis. This process is no different than what I went through with my older kids.

He won't have a ton of friends, not much anyone can do about that.

Really if you want to know my opinion where there is a need it is getting parents to accept they are not raising kids that will have to spend their lives living with mommy. I see kids all the time where they are so dependent on their parents because they were raised that way. Andy will actually ask what is wrong with them that they need that help. It is very hard to explain to him that they have the same issues but different parents.

I point this out because when a child is getting out of high school is too late to help them. You can't expect a suffocated kid to suddenly develop skills because now is the time. The need is in the grade school level, tapering off in middle school. High school is too late.

Why not go ahead and commit to this degree. If you find it's not accredited or useful the knowledge isn't something that will ever be useless. I would go ahead and learn as much as possible.

You can always do a minor in a closely related field. If the autism degree ends up not being viable you can use the minor as your field of preference and head towards a masters in something there.

I have a AA in Psychology then went to university. I studied Psychology until I realized that Sociology had less math requirements and that I could easily add a couple (2-3) social work classes and have a minor in SW. At that time I was considering an MSW. It's a better degree than most other social sciences masters because it's a national degree, you don't have to go through any other classes or certifications if you move over state lines or have clients from out of state. It also has 3rd party payment rights.

If you stay in one college at university any classes you take will apply towards just about any degree that college offers.

Now that would not be true if you were studying something in CEAT like Architecture or engineering. That would require a lot of different specific classes.

But in an Arts and Sciences college or college of education almost all classes would cross over for various degrees. If you decided to go to a totally different program in another college then you'd have issues.

So go for the program that is interesting. You can always change your mind or find something more challenging during these next few years.

My friend has a son who has autism. His outlook for life is sheltered workshop once he works his way through the waiting list, full time adult day care, or staying at home a few hours by himself during the day while his mom goes to school meetings, picks up kids, take kids to after school activities, etc....he doesn't have much of life to look forward to.

When I went to college I had several years in the field working with adults with Developmental Disabilities. I knew I wanted to work in that field. I knew I'd love to be able to help more people by helping get better laws for their rights. I wanted to be a lobbyist and go for it. To get rid of institutions, get money for small family style group homes, and make their environments the least restrictive they could manage.

I wasn't able to finish my degree by each and every class that I took contributed to something. I didn't waste any time learning anything. I use all that knowledge to this day.