For Professionals / Transition Problem + Solution

In most families, their child's life progresses through pre-school, elementary education, secondary education, college, and after graduation starting their own independent life and families of their own. This natural sequence is altered for children with intellectual disabilities and typically, little preparation is made for college or other post-secondary education options for these children.

In recent interviews, Shepherds College learned that most parents of children with intellectual disabilities feel that there are not sufficient post-secondary education resources available for their child. The resources they are aware of seem inadequate to help their child transition into society as an adult. All of the parents interviewed shared that there is a need for post-secondary education for their child, focusing on vocational skills training and independent living within a structured environment. Further desires addressed pre-job skills training and the need to help parents themselves prepare to transition their child into an appropriately independent life in the community. Parents also felt that their child would benefit from work behavior skills, the development of hobbies, male/female relationships, mobility training and personal safety.

Shepherds College was created to serve these young adults and deliver the type of education, training and transition skills that parents are looking for. In addition to educational aspects, the Shepherds College experience also includes social opportunities, training in personal finances, sports and fitness activities, parental support, community interaction, internships, and employment assistance.

All of our curriculum and efforts are geared toward delivering a successful transition to adulthood for students and their families.