Teen Transition Groups at Extraordinary Minds Learning Center will be available to individuals with high functioning autism or Aspergers Disorder, ages twelve through eighteen with a focus on gaining the skills necessary to obtain and maintain successful employment. These groups will consist of five to seven individuals and will be run by staff members and volunteers. Teen groups will take place during non school hours for three hours per week.
Social impairment and the inability to work with others is a main reason why this population struggles to maintain employment. Employers are looking for self awareness, self reliance, willingness to learn, ability to plan and prioritize, team player, good communication, interpersonal skills, problem solver and flexibility. (Hawkins, 1999).
Teaching a vocational skill is not enough. Extraordinary Minds’ teen transition group will focus on not only work related skills but also on team building activities that, although will have an underlying work related skill, will be presented in a way that will foster collaboration, communication, perspective taking and problem solving skills; all things that are required to maintain regular, successful, paid employment.