Impact. Volume 19, Number 2, Spring-Summer 2006

The passage from childhood to adulthood is a passage for families as well as individuals. As young people with disabilities move from their teen to adult years, they and their families experience many growing pains in common with all families at that stage of life. In addition, there are often milestones, questions, concerns, needs, and challenges unique to individuals with disabilities and their families. In this issue of "Impact", the contributing authors explore strategies for families of teens and young adults with disabilities to consider in navigating the transition years with their young person, and share stories of those who are in the middle of it or have come out the other side. Articles in this issue include: (1) How to Avoid Being Roadkill on the Road to Transition (Katherine Carol); (2) Youth with Disabilities Just Want to Grow Up (John Agosta); (3) Expectations, Reality, and the Road Ahead (Kerri Melda); (4) The Family Life Cycle and Significant Intellectual Disability (Ann Turnbull and Rud Turnbull); (5) Supporting Healthy Adolescent Development for Youth with Disabilities (Kris Peterson); (6) Graduation and Beyond: Beth's Story (Cathy Ficker Terrill); (7) Eight Effective Steps to Employment Success (Cary Griffin and Dave Hammis); (8) SSA Employment Support Update (Mary Hoover); (9) Involving Youth with Disabilities in Community Service Activities (John G. Smith, Ann Mavis, and Julia Washenberger); (10) Postsecondary Education for Young Adults with Disabilities: What Families Can Do (Kelly D. Roberts and Robert A. Stodden); (11) Ways to Enhance Social Inclusion (Brian Abery); (12) Sex, Dating and Disability: How to Help Youth Make Healthy Choices (Rebecca Hare); (13) Learning Life Skills: The Resources Found in Centers for Independent Living (David Hancox); (14) The Ups and Downs of Finding a Support Person: Andreas' Story (Susan Yuan); (15) The Power of Community (Henry Barclay III); (16) Supporting Self-Advocacy for Youth (Chester Finn); (17) Assistive Technology and Transition Planning (Thomas J. Nurse); (18) Making a New Home: Options for Young Adults to Live Away From the Family Home (Bob Prouty); (19) Honoring Values and Needs: Personalizing the Transition Planning Process (Pam Stenhjem); (20) Supporting Culturally Sensitive Transition Planning for American Indian Youth (Vern Zacher, Jean Ness, and Dennis Olson); and (21) If I'd Known Then What I Know Now... (Julia Washenberger). A list of resources is included. (Individual articles contain references.)