Explore OPTIONS
Admissions conversation →OPTIONS | Transitions to Independence
The Transition After High School
What Comes After High School for a Young Adult Who Is Not Yet Ready for Full Independence?
Graduation can expose a difficult gap: a young adult may be capable of college, employment, or adult life while still needing direct instruction and repeated practice to manage those expectations consistently.
The Gap Between Graduation and Adult Independence
A diploma can mark the end of high school without resolving the practical skills required for adult life. Students may still need structured opportunities to manage schedules, communicate needs, follow through on responsibilities, navigate community settings, and make decisions with increasing independence.
- Academic and executive functioning systems
- Employment readiness and workplace responsibility
- Communication and self-advocacy
- Apartment routines and daily living skills
- Community participation and recreation planning
The OPTIONS Difference
Adult Skills Are Practiced Where Adult Life Happens.
OPTIONS integrates academics, vocational development, communication, and apartment-based independent living rather than treating them as separate problems.
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.
Explore the Parts of the Program
Program Model
See how responsibility increases from Standard to Modified to Extension.
Academics
Build systems for learning, planning, self-advocacy, and college readiness.
Independent Living
Practice adult routines in real apartment-style environments.
Vocational Development
Develop workplace habits through training and community experience.
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.
Program Model
See how OPTIONS gradually reduces support as students demonstrate stronger independence across academics, employment and daily living.
Academics
Structured academic and executive functioning support for young adults preparing for college, employment and adult life.
Independent Living
Apartment-based instruction in cooking, budgeting, routines, organization and adult responsibility.
Admissions
Explore student fit, readiness requirements, application steps and admissions for OPTIONS.
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