Helping Autistic teens find the right path after finishing school
by Andrew Trenfield, Occupational Therapist at Aspect Therapy
Question: 'My Autistic teen is finishing high school. How can I help him find the right path?'
My 17-year-old Autistic son is in Year 12 and will be finishing school soon. He's always enjoyed the routine and familiarity of school, but now we're facing the big question of what comes next.
He has lots of interests and enjoys building and creating, but he's not sure what he wants to do. We've talked about training opportunities, working and community programs, but don’t know where to begin.
I'm worried about him losing the structure and support he's had at school. I want him to keep learning, build his independence and have opportunities to connect with others.
How can we explore what’s next?
Finding the right pathway after high school
Congratulations to your son. Finishing high school is a big milestone. It’s understandable that you’re feeling uncertain about what comes next and that change and leaving behind what’s familiar can be daunting for you both.
The good news is that there’s no single pathway your son needs to follow. Further education, employment, volunteering, community programs and everyday living skills are all possibilities, and he may explore several over time.
The most important thing is finding a pathway that reflects your son’s own choices, strengths, interests, goals and support needs. It’s his future, so his voice should be at the centre of decisions. Leaving school is a significant transition, and some young people may need additional support as they adjust to new routines and expectations.
Start with his interests
Explore what your son enjoys and what matters to him. Could his interest in hands-on activities lead to TAFE, work experience or a community program? What environments does he feel comfortable in?
It’s also okay if he doesn’t know what he wants to do yet. Explore possibilities together, giving him time to express his preferences and make choices without pressure.
As an Aspect Occupational Therapist (OT), we often help students identify their strengths, explore what independence means to them and develop practical strategies to achieve their goals.
Explore the different pathways
There are more options than many families realise.
Further education through TAFE, university or other training providers may suit young people who want to continue learning. Many offer disability support services and learning adjustments.
Employment pathways might include work experience, volunteering, supported employment or employment assistance services. School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) may help eligible young people develop work-related skills.
Community-based programs can offer opportunities to build friendships, develop independence and participate in meaningful activities such as cooking, public transport training or recreation.
You don’t need to explore everything at once. Start with two or three options that interest your son. Encourage him to be involved in researching, visiting and choosing which options he’d like to try.
Aspect’s Side by Side online hub is another useful starting point. You can connect with an Autistic mentor and find practical information and resources about life beyond school.
Start preparing while he’s still at school
Work with your son and his school support team to identify what helps him feel comfortable and confident. This might include predictable routines, visual schedules, sensory adjustments, clear instructions or having a trusted support person.
Arrange visits to potential programs, training providers or workplaces, where possible. Seeing the environment, meeting people and understanding what a typical day looks like can help reduce uncertainty.
Practise skills relevant to his goals, such as catching public transport, taking ownership of his weekly routine and preparing lunch.
An OT can help make this preparation more manageable by breaking bigger goals into achievable steps. For example, if your son wants to travel independently to TAFE, an OT could work with him to understand the journey, develop strategies for unexpected changes and build his confidence over time. They can also work with the student and TAFE teachers to look at classroom accommodations.
Remember, transitions take time
Leaving school isn’t just about choosing what to do next. It’s also about maintaining connections, building new relationships and adjusting to different routines.
Your son may miss his teachers, classmates or the predictability of school. Talk together about ways to stay connected with friends while creating opportunities to meet new people through shared interests.
Success doesn’t have to mean moving straight into full-time study or employment. It might mean trying a new activity independently, making a friend or developing greater independence.
Keep checking in with your son about what’s working and what isn’t. His goals may change as he gains experience, and that’s perfectly okay.
Above all, support him to make informed choices, take an active role in planning and have a say in the supports he receives. Leaving school can become an opportunity to explore possibilities, build confidence and create a meaningful next chapter on his own terms.
Additional resources:
- Aspect’s Side by Side program – assisting Autistic young people as they prepare for adulthood
- Information sheet: Supporting Autistic people during times of change
- Disability Gateway provides information about tertiary education supports across Australia.
- myWAY Employability is a website that helps young Autistic people plan and prepare for work. It supports young people to identify their strengths and interests, set goals, track progress and explore career pathways.
About Andrew Trenfield
Andrew Trenfield is an Occupational Therapist with Aspect Therapy. Andrew has worked alongside the Autistic community for the past 10 years, and strives to understand each person’s strengths, sensory preferences, routines and support needs, to develop practical individualised strategies that support participation, and wellbeing. His practice is neuroaffirming, strengths-based and focused on building the capacity of families to best understand their child.
About Aspect
Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) is one of Australia’s largest autism-specific service providers, with one of the world’s most extensive autism-specific educational programs. Celebrating 60 years in 2026, Aspect is a not-for-profit organisation working in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum to co-develop, co-produce and co-deliver supports and services that are individualised, goal driven and grounded in evidence-based practices.
