High school is over, and it's time to turn your mind to the next challenge as your young adult starts considering their career goals. While there is excitement, there can also be anxiety, especially for young adults with autism and ADHD. It’s helpful to research the educational choices available for your young adult before assuming traditional education paths are the only option. 

While neurodivergence can be managed and supported in high school with systems, routines, and support officers to create a positive learning environment, many of these supports are unavailable in higher education facilities. 

The sensitivities and needs of teenagers with autism and ADHD vary wildly. They are unique and diverse, personal to each individual and dependent on each young adult's strengths and triggers. 

While your young adult may have strategies to manage some challenges, the supports that were once their safety net are suddenly gone. While you want your child to pursue their chosen career path, you understand the unique barriers your child faces. 

It may be that executive dysfunction limits their ability to manage their time or fighting time blindness and the anxiety of taking public transport makes it difficult to simply get to campus. Once there, the hustle and bustle, sounds, sights, and smells of the environment may cause them to be so overstimulated that they want to curl up at home and hide.  

Thankfully, as your young adult starts to branch out into the world and develop coping strategies and boundaries that work for them as they mature, there is a way to study and develop the skills and education they want to lead a productive and positive adult life.

Safe Positive Neurodivergent Learning Environments After High School.

With the rise in online education and courses, everyone has opportunities. Your young adult can sit in a quiet room with a swinging foot stall, humming and clicking their pen while they listen to a lecture and take notes in the security of their home environment.

Graduating high school is a time for growth and adaptation, and while this is often expected of teenagers, higher education facilities have evolved to accommodate the diversity of students. 

Online study can be the answer and safety net for your neurodivergent kid to study certificate-level courses online and thrive without overload or undue stress.

Exploring the virtual world of online learning removes barriers, creates a safe space, and allows for education and personal growth in an environment at a rate suitable to an individuals' needs. Studying successfully in a positive and supported environment is now only a mouse click away!