What Families Should Know About Support for Young Adults with Disabilities

For families of individuals with disabilities, the transition into adulthood brings a unique mix of hope, fear, and uncertainty. Questions often arise like:

• What happens after high school ends?

• What support exists for daily living?

• Will my child find a place where they belong—and grow?
  

At Rolling Hills Progress Center, we believe this stage of life shouldn’t be about “what’s next”—it should be about what’s possible. We work closely with families and young adults (ages 16+) to create a personalized pathway toward greater independence, connection, and fulfillment.

Beyond the Classroom: Understanding the Transition Phase

Most public school services end by age 22, including structured routines, speech or occupational therapy, and daily social interaction. The abrupt loss of these supports can leave both the individual and family feeling adrift.

That’s where adult services—like those at Rolling Hills—step in.

We help bridge that gap with programs that are individualized, intentional, and deeply practical.

Core Areas of Support (and What They Look Like in Action)

1. Life Skills in the Real World

We don’t teach life skills in a classroom—we teach them in real time.

Storytime: Jordan, 21, starts each day by making his own lunch with help from a staff member. He follows a picture-based recipe, practices safe microwave use, and even plans his grocery list weekly. Over time, Jordan began choosing healthier snacks and now leads a snack prep group once a week for peers.

Skills include:

• Grocery shopping with a budget

• Managing personal hygiene routines

• Learning time management using visual schedules

• Using basic appliances, cleaning, and laundry

• Navigating personal space and boundaries
  

2. Vocational Skills & Supported Employment

Many young adults want to work but need help building readiness—both technical and interpersonal. We start with structured, supportive environments that mirror real job settings.

Storytime: Maya, 19, helps assemble and package items for one of Rolling Hills’ small business partners. She clocks in, wears a uniform, uses basic tools, and is learning to track her hours. In just a few months, she’s gone from working in 15-minute intervals to completing two hours with minimal redirection.

Skills include

• Communication with supervisors

• Following multi-step instructions

• Workplace etiquette and safety

• Identifying interests and matching them to roles

• Handling real paychecks and learning money management
  

3. Social-Emotional Growth & Community Engagement

We prioritize healthy emotional development and peer connection—not just skill-building.

Storytime: Isaac, 20, used to struggle with group settings. With gentle support, he now participates in our Friday game hour, attends community outings, and joined the Special Olympics team. His favorite part? “Riding the bus with my friends.”

Supports include:

• Small group social practice

• Community outings (restaurants, libraries, events)

• Special Olympics and recreational sports

• Volunteer opportunities

• Emotional regulation tools and positive behavior supports
  

4. Family Support & Communication

We know this journey doesn’t end when your loved one gets dropped off in the morning. That’s why we partner with families to set clear goals, celebrate progress, and adapt as needed.

We provide:

• Regular updates and goal tracking

• Open communication with staff

• Support in navigating outside resources (Social Security, housing, benefits)

• Advocacy during transition planning or state paperwork
  

What Success Looks Like at Rolling Hills

Success is not one-size-fits-all. For one person, it may be learning to do laundry without reminders. For another, it may be showing up to a volunteer shift on time, speaking up at a group meeting, or managing emotions during unexpected changes.

We measure success by:

• Progress toward individual goals

• Increased independence and participation

• Confidence in facing new experiences

• Greater connection with peers, staff, and community

  
  

When Should Families Reach Out?

The earlier, the better. Many families begin exploring adult services between ages 16–18, especially as they enter transition planning in school IEP meetings. We can help shape those conversations and create a seamless handoff into adulthood.

FAQ: Transition Support at Rolling Hills

Do I need a referral to enroll in services at Rolling Hills? Not always. Families can contact us directly, and we’ll help with eligibility, documentation, and funding steps.

What age range do you support? We begin working with individuals as young as 16 through adulthood. Many of our participants transition from high school around age 18–22.

What’s a typical day like for a young adult at Rolling Hills? Days include a mix of life skills, job training, social activities, and community outings—structured based on each person’s plan and goals.

Can my child still receive therapies or other support while attending? Yes. We coordinate with outside providers when needed and can refer families to additional services to round out support.