Hagner and Kurtz Present Evidence-Based Approach to Developing Transition Competencies for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders

David Hagner, Ph.D., (University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability) and Alan Kurtz, Ph.D. Candidate, (University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies) recently presented their research findings on developing transition competencies for youth with autism spectrum disorders.

The demonstration of a new transition model featuring coordinated person-centered planning, family training, and career exploration, resulted in significant increases in self-determination, career decision-making, and expectations for adult life, as well as improvements in the quality of transition plans on student IEPs. Efforts are underway to implement this model with sustainable blended funding. Hagner served as the project’s principal investigator and project director and Kurtz served as the project coordinator in Maine.

The Institute on Disability and the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies are part of a national network of congressionally authorized University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.