Autism and the Transition to Adulthood

A breath of fresh air . . . could conceivably become the 'bible' of information for transitioning students with autism. It will be on my bookshelf for many years to come. --Judith Howlett, MALS, MS Ed

Dr. Wehman is Professor of Physical Medicine with joint appointments in the Departments of Rehabilitation Counseling and also Special Education and Disability Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University. He serves as Chairman of the Division of Rehabilitation Research in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Wehman has his Ph.D. in Behavioral Disabilities from University of Wisconsin-Madison. As one of the original founders of supported employment, he has worked closely with business and industry since 1980 and has published over 200 articles and authored or edited more than 40 books primarily in transition, severe disabilities, autism, traumatic brain injury and employment for persons with disabilities. He has been the Principal Investigator on 41 million dollars in grants during his career. As the father of two young adults with disabilities, he brings a strong parental as well as business perspective to his work. He is highly active in speaking to professionals, parents, advocates and businesses on transition and employment for people with autism, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and other developmental disabilities. On a daily basis he works with individuals with disabilities, communicates regularly with professionals in the world of business related to disability and diversity, and is active in teaching and mentoring medical students, residents, and doctoral students in rehabilitation medicine, special education, rehabilitation and psychology. A major focus of Dr. Wehman's work is on expanding the partnerships with businesses of all sizes so that more persons with disabilities can gain entrance into the workplace and retain employment successfully. He is a recipient of the Kennedy Foundation Award in Mental Retardation in 1990 and President's Committee on Employment for Persons with Disabilities in 1992. Dr. Wehman was recognized as one of the 50 most influential special educators of the millennium by the Remedial and Special Education journal in December, 2000. He is also Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. Marcia Datlow Smith, Ph.D., Psychologist, CSAAC, 8615 East Village Avenue, Montgomery Village, Maryland 20886 Dr. Smith is Assistant Executive Director for Programs and Psychologist at CSAAC, an agency that has supported children and adults with autism since 1979. She has designed a broad range of positive behavior supports that have allowed adolescents and adults with autism and challenging behavior to achieve community living and supported employment. In addition, she has directed federal research grants and worked on federal model program and replication grants for the treatment of autism awarded to CSAAC. Dr. Smith was awarded a Mary Switzer Senior Research Fellowship by the National Institute of Handicapped Research, and, in 1989, her work with autism was recognized with the Governor of Marylanda (TM)s Health Care Professional of the Year award. She has made presentations both nationally and internationally and has written book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Smith has authored several books, including Autism and Life in the Community: Successful Interventions for Behavioral Challenges (Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 1990) and A Guide to Successful Employment for Individuals with Autism (with Ronald G. Belcher & Patricia D. Juhrs, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 1995). Carol Schall, Ph.D., Director, Virginia Autism Resource Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Post Office Box 842020, Richmond, Virginia 23284 Dr. Schall is Assistant Professor of Special Education and Disability Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has been learning from and supporting individuals with autism for more than 25 years. Dr. Schall is involved in supporting individuals across Virginia through her work as the director of the Virginia Autism Resource Center. She is well versed in completing functional behavior assessments and