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"What Comes Next?" Navigating Post-Graduation Pathways for Students with Learning Disabilities
December 2025 | Education
When we talk about post-graduation planning for students with learning differences, the goal isn’t to fit them into a traditional mold—it’s to help them uncover where their strengths, personality, and persistence meet real opportunities.
For many families, the transition from high school to adulthood brings excitement, uncertainty, and a long list of "what ifs." But for parents of students with learning disabilities, especially those whose academic skills fall below grade level, the question "What comes next? can feel heavy, overwhelming, and sometimes isolating. The world often celebrates test scores, GPAs, and college acceptance letters as the markers of readiness ... the markers of "success," leaving some families to wonder what opportunities remain for a teen who doesn't fit that mold.
Here's the truth: There is more than one definition of success.
And more importantly, your teen's path does not have to mirror anyone else's.
Yep, I said it! Your teen's learning journey is just that, his/her unique journey.
Some student won't pursue college, not because they aren't capable, but because their gifts, strengths, and learning style shine in environments that value hands-on work, creativity, relationship-building, or practical problem-solving. These are qualities the workforce needs deeply.
As a homeschool parent and an educational consultant, I've walked alongside countless families asking this same question. And my message is always the same: when we shift the focus from limitations to strengths, a meaningful future becomes visible again.
Post-graduation planning is about uncovering where your teen's personality, perseverance, and abilities meet real opportunities.
What follows is a compassionate, practical roadmap to help you and your teen chart a path forward -- one grounded in dignity, purpose, and possibility.
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Redefining "Success" and "Readiness"
Every learner's journey is unique. For some students with learning disabilities, college may not be the best or immediate "fit," and that's okay. Success doesn't have to mean college. The goal of education is to discover meaningful, sustainable, and fulfilling pathways that align with strengths, interests, and real-world readiness. That can mean employment, certification, entrepreneurship, or independent living—all valid and empowering outcomes.
"With intention, creativity, and a community that believes in their ability ... every student ... can step into adulthood with purpose and pride."
Step 1: Discover Strengths & Interests
Help your teen explore what they can do well and enjoy doing:
Hands-on skills: building, repairing, cooking, crafting, organizing
Social/interpersonal strengths: hospitality, teaching, helping others
Creative/visual thinking: photography, design, landscaping, art
Structured environments: clerical, data entry, inventory, logistics, sorting
Tools to Explore:
Step 2: Build Real-World Experience
Homeschool flexibility makes this easier than ever! Try:
Job Shadowing- observe someone working in a field of interest
Internship or Volunteering- develop confidence and soft skills
Apprenticeships or Trade Exploration - earn while learning
Tip: Contact your local Chamber of Commerce, library, or small business network for opportunities.
Step 3: Build Confidence, Self-Advocacy, and Soft Skills
These "hidden" skills make a huge difference:
Communication & teamwork
Punctuality & time management
Self-advocacy & confidence
Following directions & problem-solving
Tip: Practice with role-play interviews, workplace etiquette lessons, or mock job applications at home.
Step 4: Explore Skill Training & Workforce/Transition Programs
These programs provide hands-on training, coaching, and transition support:
Step 5: Consider Entrepreneurship or Microbusinesses
Many neurodivergent learners thrive as self-employed creators, service providers, or artisans. Possible paths include pet care, photography, lawn care, home organizing, social media management, and custom crafts. Families can partner with local small-business owners, SCORE Mentors, or Junior Achievement programs to provide guidance.
Other programs that provide hands-on training, coaching, and transition support include:
Ticket to Work Program (for Social Security disability beneficiaries) - for adults 18-64 receiving SSD/SSI benefits; offers free career-development services. https://choosework.ssa.gov/about
Sheppard Pratt Employment & Job Training Services - offers vocational services for individuals with mental health or developmental disabilities, including job training. https://www.sheppardpratt.org/care-services/employment-job-training/
Best Buddies Job Program - focuses on finding work that matches job seekers' interests and talents, securing income, and gaining lifelong independence. https://www.bestbuddies.org/jobs/
AbilityFirst - provides job development & placement, resume/cover/portfolio support, application help, mock interview, job-coaching, long-term support, job customization, and paid internships. https://www.abilityfirst.org/programs/employment-services/
Viscardi Center (NY)- offers job-training and workforce entry programs for people with disabilities, including technology-training, assistive-tech services, and employment support. https://viscardicenter.org/
The Big Takaway
As you walk alongside your teen during this transition, remember that grade levels, standardized tests, or traditional academic milestones cannot measure their worth. Their future will be shaped by their strengths, by the environments that allow them to flourish, and by the adults willing to see their potential with fresh eyes. Whether their path leads to employment, certification, trades, entrepreneurship, or a combination of all the above, your steady support is the bridge that helps them move from uncertainty to confidence. With intention, creativity, and a community that believes in their ability to contribute meaningfully, every student, regardless of their learning differences, can step into adulthood with purpose and pride.
Note: To access a downloadable summary handout with the key points from the article, click here.
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Mentorship is the quiet bridge that carries a young person from potential to purpose.
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LOOKING FOR GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT?
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but it includes our top picks to get you started.
While no single assessment can offer a complete picture for effective post-high school planning (Rowe et al., 2015), the good news is that a wide range of tools and resources exist to help; resources that are diverse, accessible, and available across multiple platforms. Below is a curated collection of assessments and resources, organized by key transition planning areas. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list, so navigate the resources accordingly.
EFM Educational Consultants does not endorse or recommend these resources; we share them solely as a convenient source of information, presented in no particular order. Please note that the linked sites are not under the control of EFM Educational Consultants.
General Post High School Planning Resources
QuickBook of Transition Assessments - FREE
Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment Toolkit: NTACT - FREE
https://transitionta.org/topics/postsecondary-education/
Finding Age-Appropriate Transition Assessments (Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center) - FREE
https://instrc.indiana.edu/transition-resources/transition-matrix.html
Career Planning and Exploration Assessment and Resources
This section provides resources for exploring and planning careers. There are also assessments to determine students' preferences, interests, needs, and strengths.
Xello - $$ & FREE (Both)
Career One Step - Career Cluster Video Series: US Department of Labor - FREE
https://www.careeronestop.org/default.aspx
Career Clueless - Interest Inventory for Middle School: South Bend Community School Corporation - FREE https://www.cves.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Career-Clueless.pdf
My Next Move - FREE
Project Discovery - $$
https://educationassociates.com/
Preference, Interests, Needs, and Strengths Assessments
Assessment: Find Your Strengths: Literacy Net - FREE
https://www.literacynet.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html
Brigance Transition Skills Inventory: Curriculum Associates - $$
https://www.curriculumassociates.com/programs
Self-Motivation Quiz: Richard Step - FREE
https://richardstep.com/self-motivation-quiz-test/
Strengths and Weaknesses Aptitude Test (RSWAT): Richard Step - FREE
https://richardstep.com/richardstep-strengths-weaknesses-aptitude-test/
Visual/Pictorial and Alternate Assessments for Students with Complex Support Needs
Photo Career Quiz – FREE
https://www.truity.com/test/photo-career-quiz
Pictorial Interest Inventory (structured around 8 different career fields) - FREE
https://www.cves.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Pictoral_Interest_Inventory_template_SHEN.pdf
Career Interest Inventory (for non-readers) - FREE
https://www.cves.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/PictureCareerInterest_Inventory.pdf
1, 2, 3 Testing - On-line Career Test - FREE
Mental Health Tools and Resources for Transition Planning
Mental Health Tools and Resources for Transition Planning
https://www.gottransition.org/resource/?tra-iep-english
Pathways Comics (Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures) – FREE https://www.pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/comics
Teen Compass Wellness Notebook: Samaritan Family Wellness Foundation - FREE https://shop.samaritanfamilywellness.org/products/the-teen-compass-wellness-notebook-pdf-file
Mental Health Resource Guide - FREE
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L1dekwQ8a7TcjU0pCQ_nEtuLVxGl8n4zKkDu0-DtDa8/edit?tab=t.0
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At EFM, we offer Parent Coaching, Free Downloadable Resources, Custom Planning Guides, Transcript Support, Executive Functioning Toolkits, Functional Curriculum List ideas, and a Life Skills High School Planner tailored to neurodivergent teens!
At EFM, we offer Parent Coaching, Free Downloadable Resources, Custom Planning Guides, Transcript Support, Executive Functioning Toolkits, Functional Curriculum List ideas, and a Life Skills High School Planner tailored to neurodivergent teens!
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