“What Happens After High School?” explores the many pathways available to autistic young adults when graduation does not lead directly to a traditional four-year college or full-time employment.

Families will learn how to evaluate a student’s academic, social, executive-functioning, independent-living, and employment needs and use those findings to create an individualized transition plan. The presentation compares community colleges, campus-based autism support programs, specialized colleges, programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, 18–21 transition services, summer bridge programs, vocational training, and day or self-directed supports.

It also explains the shift from school-based entitlements to adult systems, including college disability services, SSI, Medicaid, state developmental-disability programs, and vocational rehabilitation.

Parents will receive practical guidance on documentation, applications, financial and legal preparation, employment considerations, and transition timelines beginning in high school and continuing into adulthood. The central message is that readiness is not all-or-nothing: with early planning, creative thinking, and the right combination of supports, young adults can build meaningful paths toward education, work, community participation, and greater independence.

About the Speaker

Laura McKenna, PhD, is the founder of McKenna Autism Consulting, which provides post-diagnosis support, personalized resource mapping, parent coaching, transition planning, and college consulting for autistic individuals and their families. Laura helps families understand complex educational and disability-service systems, strengthen IEP and transition plans, evaluate college readiness, identify appropriate academic and residential programs, and access supports such as SSI, DDD, DVRS, and college disability services. Over the years, she has supported thousands of parents through individual consultations, educational programs, webinars, articles, newsletters, and community outreach. Known for translating complicated information into clear, practical next steps, Laura works closely with families to develop individualized plans that reflect each person’s strengths, needs, and long-term goals. She is also the founder of ABA Options, an online directory that helps families find ABA providers in their communities.

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