Julie Lounds Taylor, PhD, is an assistant professor of Pediatrics and Special Education at Vanderbilt University, and an investigator at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development   She received her masters of science and doctorate in developmental psychology from the University of Notre Dame.  Julie subsequently completed a post-doctoral fellowship in lifespan family research at the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, before joining the Vanderbilt University faculty in 2008. Her research focuses on understanding the factors that promote a positive transition to adulthood for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (primarily Autism Spectrum Disorder) and their families.  Dr. Taylor’s work has been funded by Autism Speaks and the National Institutes of Mental Health. She was the 2014 recipient of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Early Career Award.

Paul Shattuck, PhD, is the Director of the Life Course Outcomes Research Program at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute. He studies experiences and services that promote positive outcomes for people on the autism spectrum, their families and communities. Dr. Shattuck’s published studies have been formally recognized by federal agencies and private advocacy groups as some the most important research in the field. His work has been funded by a variety of federal and national organizations. Dr. Shattuck believes people on the autism spectrum are valuable members of our communities. They have roles to play, dreams to achieve, and contributions to make. He sees an urgent need for understanding how life unfolds across the lifespan for people on the autism spectrum.

Lecture Summary: The growing prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) among children means rising numbers of teens are exiting high school each year. But the transition to adulthood is difficult for many youth on the autism spectrum. They lose the familiar structure of school and special education services, but still often require assistance in employment and in activities of daily living. The speakers will describe the most current research on vocational/educational outcomes and service access during the transition to adulthood, as well as how activities during this critical time set the stage for development throughout adulthood. The speakers will discuss research on interventions aimed at transition-aged youth on the autism spectrum, as well as relevant policy and systems-level issues and research. The talk will cover both smaller-scale and national-level initiatives and programs.

This lecture is intended for families of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and for professionals supporting individuals on the spectrum. We also invite anyone who is interested in learning more about ASD.

 Upon completion of this lecture, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the difficulties individuals with ASD face during the transition from education-based services to adulthood.
2. Describe current outcomes for adults on the autism spectrum.
3. Discuss the interventions aimed at transition-aged youth on the autism spectrum.
4. Explain why transition research is an important area of study for the autism community.