As autistic individuals grow into adulthood, they are much more likely to experience a need for employment-related skills, with research on these skills lacking relative to child-focused research. Accordingly, this dissertation examined existing literature on employment-related skill development and based on community consultation, developed…

This study examined how faculty who teach in specialized undergraduate programs for autistic college students approach self-advocacy teaching. Test et al.'s (2005) conceptual framework of self-advocacy was used as a lens to investigate this topic. Through ten semi-structured interviews (faculty in specialized college autism programs), ten themes…

First-generation community college students face barriers and challenges when they transfer to four-year institutions that can impact bachelor-degree completion. This action research study aimed to investigate ways to improve academic success and persistence of first-generation community college transfer students at a four-year college. Data…

Students with disabilities are arriving in higher education without adequate self-advocacy skills nor were they feeling prepared for the transition from high school to college. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the self-advocacy skills of college students with disabilities. There are two research questions addressed in this…

This literature review discusses the importance of proper transition support for students in special education and the correlation between their postsecondary success. The transition from K-12 to postsecondary education is essential to student success after graduating from high school and completing higher education programs. Students who need a…

The purpose of this qualitative case-study design was to better understand P-12 students' soft skills and postsecondary readiness through the perceptions of higher education counselors and advisors. Specifically, this study investigated the impact of students' soft skills and the relation to unprepared postsecondary students. Throughout the…

This three-article dissertation analyzes the question of how to best prepare students transitioning from secondary education to post-secondary life. The first article examines the theories of self-determination, the self-advocacy skills needed for its success, and how the two relate to students with learning disabilities. The second article…

Students with learning disabilities continue to make advancements in their preparation for post-secondary studies and are one of the largest growing populations to enter colleges and universities. However, it is estimated that only forty percent of students with a learning disability report it to their post-secondary schools, creating difficulties…

This qualitative study investigated the academic, community, and family experiences of adults who are profoundly deaf. The deaf adults were categorized as high-achieving by having attended college post-high school. The intent of this study is to give teachers, parents, and other deaf students, insight into the factors responsible for contributing…

High school graduates with specific learning disabilities (SLD) often lack sufficient skills to advocate for themselves in adult situations. This limited advocacy ability of young adults with SLD contributes to their higher postsecondary school drop-out rate, lower paying jobs, and a greater dependence on family and public assistance programs for…

This qualitative study identified four educators' perceptions and their implementation of teaching advocacy to students with disabilities within a public secondary educational setting. Federal mandates, such as Public Law 94-142, requested educators including administrators, counselors, special educators, and general educators to help…

Transitioning in to adult-hood as a special needs youth can be a challenging experience for both disabled youth and their families. IDEA 2004 legislation mandates all special needs individuals receive skill development in the areas of self-determination, self-advocacy, employment, adult service agency access and independent living. School…

Students with learning disabilities are entering postsecondary education in larger numbers, yet many lacks the self-advocacy skills needed to access services available to them. Explicit instruction in self-advocacy must begin in time for students to practice these skills before leaving high school. Currently, too many students with learning…

The lifelong challenges for the individual with learning disabilities are unique, dynamic, and evident as the number of these students enrolling in postsecondary education increases. The increase underscores the importance of the transition process, which can present challenges and reinforces the need for secondary and postsecondary educators to…