Future
Moving from children’s services to adult services is called transition or preparing for adulthood.
This is when young people move from support for children to support for people aged 18 and over.
This time can feel exciting. It can also feel worrying for young people and their families.
A young person may have had the same school, support, and home life for many years. This will start to change as they become an adult.
Young people may feel:
excited about being more independent
worried about what will change
Changes may include:
becoming more independent
building relationships
staying in education or training
starting work
The law about support at this stage can be hard to understand.
There are different laws and rules. Some things must happen. Some things may happen.
There are also Codes of Practice. These are official guides that services should follow, unless there is a very good reason not to.
Sometimes these guides use words like “should” and “must”. They usually mean the same thing, but this can be confusing.
Preparation for adulthood
Preparing for adulthood is a process, not a single event.
It means planning over time and making choices about the future.
Young people also get new legal rights to help them make these choices.
Change can be hard for everyone. It can be especially hard for some autistic people, who may prefer clear routines and predictability.
The move from school to adult life can be difficult.
Some children get strong support at school. This support may reduce or stop when they leave school.
The areas to consider for a young person are:
Support to live independently
Leaving care (support when moving on from care services)
Supported internships (work-based learning with support)
Adult social care (help with daily living needs)
Advocacy (support to speak up and be heard)
Employment and careers
Funding and benefits (financial support)
Homelessness (having safe and stable housing)
Impact
Reality of the transition process
Services do not always share information well.
This can lead to support stopping fully or partly at age 18.
Falling through gaps
Some young people have clear support needs but do not meet the rules for adult services.
This can happen, for example, with some autistic people.
Limited expectations
Important life skills are sometimes missed, such as:
relationships
leisure activities
managing money
These are important for mental health and independence.
Invisible to some services
Local services may not always know how many young people need support.
This can make planning support more difficult.
Parent Strategies
It is helpful to start thinking about your child’s future from around age 14.
As a parent, you can:
Talk to doctors or care teams about what will happen when your child turns 18
Apply for a needs assessment from your local council (this checks what support your child may need as an adult)
Apply for a carer’s assessment (this looks at your needs as a carer and what support you may get)
Ask colleges or universities what support is available, if your child plans to
Strategies for Young People
Speak to a trusted adult
Talk to someone you trust, like a parent, carer, or teacher. They can help guide you.
Self-advocacy
Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself and your needs.
A trusted adult can help you learn how to do this.
Think about the future
Think about what you enjoy.
You can:
write down job ideas
look at what you need to do to get that job
Social Stories
A social story is a simple story that explains situations and what to expect.
They can help you:
understand new situations
feel more prepared
reduce worry
A timeline for learning adult life skills can also help.
This means learning new skills step by step over time.
Practising these skills can:
build confidence
help them become part of your daily routine
Small steps over time can help you feel more ready for adult life.
Resources
What does the law say A legal guide for council staff including lawyers and social workers
Resources for autistic teenagers
NHS England » Useful autism resources and training
Parent Handouts & Resources | Explaining Brains
Neurodiversity-Understood-Parent-Guide.pdf
Words-Matter-Talking-to-neurodivergent-children-and-young-people.pdf
What’s On to support Future
Support in Wirral
-
My Happy Mind
My Happy Mind is a resource that can be used by schools in Wirral. There is support for parents and carers and children and young people. You can find more information on their website.
The service in schools is free.
Resources and Helpful Information
Prep for Adulthood Links
The National Autistic Society is a charity that helps autistic people and their families by providing information, advice, and support.Its Resources for Autistic Teenagers page offers free videos, guides, and worksheets to help autistic teenagers understand themselves and their experiences.The resources cover topics such as understanding yourself, managing energy, exploring your identity, understanding other people, and planning for the future.The materials include real stories and advice from autistic young people to help teenagers learn from others with similar experiences.These resources help autistic teenagers build confidence, understand their strengths, and feel positive about who they are.
Spectrum Gaming is an autistic-led charity that helps autistic young people make friends, build confidence, and feel proud of who they are.The website offers a safe online community where autistic young people can chat, take part in events, and connect with others who understand them.It provides resources, guides, advocacy projects, and information to help young people, parents, and professionals better understand autism.The site also offers online activities, Minecraft sessions, face-to-face meet-ups in some areas, and opportunities for young people to share their views and experiences.These resources help autistic young people feel less lonely, make meaningful friendships, and develop confidence in everyday life
Explaining Brains helps parents explain neurodiversity, learning differences, and diagnoses to children in a positive and confident way.Its website provides guides, handouts, videos, worksheets, and books that help children understand how their brains work and recognise their strengths.The resources cover ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, giftedness, behaviour differences, self-advocacy, medication, siblings, and school support.The site also gives practical advice for parents on talking about diagnoses, working with schools, and helping children build confidence and independence.These resources help children understand themselves better, feel proud of who they are, and learn how to ask for the support they need
AutPlay Therapy helps parents and professionals understand and support neurodivergent children in a positive and respectful way.Its Neurodiversity Understood Parent Guide helps families learn about autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent differences using strengths-based language.The website provides guides, videos, and resources on topics such as emotional regulation, behaviour, relationships, self-advocacy, and understanding a child’s unique needs.It also offers information about play therapy and ways parents can support their child at home and work with professionals.These resources help children feel understood, build confidence, and develop strong emotional wellbeing.
Words Matter is a charity that helps adults use kind and positive words so children can feel safe, valued, and confident.Its Talking to Neurodivergent Children and Young People guide gives simple tips to help parents, carers, and teachers communicate in supportive ways.The guide explains that neurodivergent children may think and learn differently, so they often need clear, patient, and understanding communication.The website also offers free resources about talking with teenagers, supporting children through changes, building confidence, and improving communication.These resources help adults build strong relationships and support children’s wellbeing, confidence, and development.
YoungMinds is a charity that helps children and young people with their mental health and emotional wellbeing. It provides trusted advice, guides, and resources for young people, families, schools, and community workers.Its Quick Guide to ADHD in Young People explains that ADHD affects attention, activity levels, and behaviour, and that young people with ADHD may need extra support.The guide describes common signs of ADHD, how young people can get assessed, and the different types of help that may be available.The website also offers practical resources on mental health, wellbeing, relationships, school life, and supporting young people with additional needs.These resources help young people and adults understand ADHD, build confidence, and find the support they need