Episode Details

Autism Transition Starts Earlier Than You Think

When should autism transition planning actually begin?

In this episode of Autism Labs, Mike Carr sits down with Will Renfro, Transition Coordinator, and Patti Cole, special education teacher, from Round Rock ISD to break down what families need to know about preparing autistic teens and young adults for adulthood.

They share real-world insights from working with over 70 students across different levels of support, including those with higher needs and those building independence through community-based programs.

This conversation covers the most common mistakes families make, including waiting too long to plan, misunderstanding available services, and missing critical opportunities like Medicaid waiver lists that can take over a decade.

The episode also explores how behavior can act as communication, why parent-school collaboration matters, and how small, consistent strategies can unlock independence and reduce challenges over time.

If you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or professional supporting autistic individuals, this episode provides practical guidance to help you prepare for life beyond school.

See the links below for resources:

Round Rock Destination Life - http://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1cqFuZ-Kv9D6cy1lDVKRRfRhtcZ5Jc0GN 

Round Rock ISD - https://sites.google.com/roundrockisd.org/spedtransitionservices 

Texas SPED Support - https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/resource-library/texas-transition-and-employment-guide