Explore OPTIONS
Admissions conversation →OPTIONS | Transitions to Independence
Progressive Independence
A Three-Phase Transition Model That Builds Independence Step by Step
Students progress through Standard, Modified, and Extension phases based on demonstrated readiness rather than time alone. Expectations increase while direct support gradually decreases.
Progressive Independence
Standard → Modified → Extension
Students move forward based on demonstrated readiness — not time alone. Expectations increase as direct support gradually decreases.
High Support · High Structure
Standard Phase
Students establish routines, learn how to use support effectively, and build foundational academic, vocational, communication, and daily living skills.
Shared Responsibility · Guided Independence
Modified Phase
Students take greater ownership of schedules, choices, follow-through, and responsibilities while continuing to receive coaching and oversight.
Independent Living · Supported Launch
Extension Phase
Students prepare to transition beyond OPTIONS by managing college, employment, wellness, and independent living with substantially reduced direct support.
One Model · Every Environment
The Phase Changes. The Goal Stays the Same.
The Standard, Modified, and Extension phases are not separate programs. The same progression is applied across the places where adult independence has to work: school, work, home, communication, and community life.
Academics
Coursework, study systems, planning, and self-advocacy.
Vocational
Internships, job readiness, professional communication, and accountability.
Independent Living
Apartment routines, cooking, budgeting, transportation, and personal responsibility.
Communication
Social communication, problem-solving, self-expression, and advocacy.
Start a Conversation
A Clearer Path Forward Starts With Understanding Fit
OPTIONS does not expect independence all at once. An admissions conversation is a practical first step to understand readiness, support needs, and whether the program aligns with your student.
Admissions Conversation
Begin with a confidential conversation focused on fit, not pressure.
Start a ConversationQuestions about readiness, timing, academics, living, or vocational pathways are welcome.
admissionsinfo@brehm.orgHow the Three Phases Work
Students move through Standard, Modified, and Extension phases based on demonstrated performance, competencies, and readiness rather than time alone. Standard Phase provides the greatest structure, Modified Phase increases shared responsibility, and Extension Phase emphasizes supported launch into more independent college, employment, and living routines.
One Model Applied Across the Entire Program
The same progression model is applied across academics, vocational development, independent living, communication, and daily self-management. As students demonstrate stronger skills, staff shift from direct instruction toward coaching, monitoring, and consultation so independence is practiced rather than simply discussed.
Progression Is Individualized and Team-Based
Program recommendations are informed by student performance, competencies, expressed interests, staff observation, and family input. This allows the team to increase expectations when a student is ready and maintain support when a skill is not yet reliable.
Independence Is Built, Not Rushed
Support Changes When the Student Is Ready
Every new student begins in the Standard Phase, where direct instruction and structure establish foundational skills. In the Modified Phase, students manage more responsibilities while continuing to use supervised apartments and coordinated support. Students identified as ready for Extension take on substantially greater responsibility for their living environment, wellness, education and employment while working with Life Skills Coaches.
- Standard: establish routines, skills and responsible behavior
- Modified: manage more responsibilities with continued access to support
- Extension: practice increasingly independent adult living
- Movement is based on performance, abilities and targeted goals — not a fixed calendar
The OPTIONS Progression
Support Changes as Independence Grows
Students do not move forward because a semester ends. They move forward when they demonstrate readiness across real responsibilities.
See how the phase model applies across academics, work, communication, and independent living →
Explore the OPTIONS System
Go Deeper Into This Part of the Program
Each area is connected to the same goal: helping students build a personal and sustainable level of independence.
Academics
See how phase expectations apply to coursework, executive functioning, college readiness, and academic self-management.
Explore Academics →Vocational Development
See how work expectations and vocational independence increase as students demonstrate readiness.
Explore Vocational Development →Independent Living
See how apartment routines and adult responsibilities become increasingly student-directed across phases.
Explore Independent Living →Communication Support
See how communication and self-advocacy strategies are reinforced while direct support gradually fades.
Explore Speech & Language →Arrowsmith Program
Learn how cognitive training may fit within a broader individualized transition plan for qualifying students.
Explore Arrowsmith →Progressive Independence
Standard → Modified → Extension
Students move forward based on demonstrated readiness — not time alone. Expectations increase as direct support gradually decreases.
High Support · High Structure
Standard Phase
Students establish routines, learn how to use support effectively, and build foundational academic, vocational, communication, and daily living skills.
Shared Responsibility · Guided Independence
Modified Phase
Students take greater ownership of schedules, choices, follow-through, and responsibilities while continuing to receive coaching and oversight.
Independent Living · Supported Launch
Extension Phase
Students prepare to transition beyond OPTIONS by managing college, employment, wellness, and independent living with substantially reduced direct support.
One Model · Every Environment
The Phase Changes. The Goal Stays the Same.
The Standard, Modified, and Extension phases are not separate programs. The same progression is applied across the places where adult independence has to work: school, work, home, communication, and community life.
Academics
Coursework, study systems, planning, and self-advocacy.
Vocational
Internships, job readiness, professional communication, and accountability.
Independent Living
Apartment routines, cooking, budgeting, transportation, and personal responsibility.
Communication
Social communication, problem-solving, self-expression, and advocacy.
Start a Conversation
A Clearer Path Forward Starts With Understanding Fit
OPTIONS does not expect independence all at once. An admissions conversation is a practical first step to understand readiness, support needs, and whether the program aligns with your student.
Admissions Conversation
Begin with a confidential conversation focused on fit, not pressure.
Start a ConversationQuestions about readiness, timing, academics, living, or vocational pathways are welcome.
admissionsinfo@brehm.orgConnected Support
How This Connects Across OPTIONS
The phase model is the progression framework used throughout the OPTIONS post-secondary transition program.
This progression applies consistently across our academic development program for young adults with learning disabilities.
Vocational responsibilities increase as students advance through the structured employment training pathway.
Living expectations shift in alignment with the independent living phase progression.
Readiness for participation and future growth is considered through the transition program admissions process.
Continue Exploring
See How This Connects Across OPTIONS
Independence is built across connected environments. Explore the parts of the program most closely related to this topic.
Academics
Structured academic and executive functioning support for young adults preparing for college, employment and adult life.
Vocational Training
Build workplace confidence and employment readiness through training, internships and vocational coaching.
Independent Living
Apartment-based instruction in cooking, budgeting, routines, organization and adult responsibility.
Speech and Language Support
Integrated communication support for college, employment, relationships and independent adult life.
Start a Conversation
A Clearer Path Forward Starts With Understanding Fit
OPTIONS does not expect independence all at once. An admissions conversation is a practical first step to understand readiness, support needs, and whether the program aligns with your student.
Admissions Conversation
Begin with a confidential conversation focused on fit, not pressure.
Start a ConversationQuestions about readiness, timing, academics, living, or vocational pathways are welcome.
admissionsinfo@brehm.org