Speech Language Pathology: Continuing Education Courses by SLP Nerdcast

Course Title: Empowering Independence: Fostering Effective Communication Skills for Adult Success

Get 0.05 ASHA CEUs and view the full course landing page: https://www.slpnerdcast.com/courses/empowering-independence-fostering-effective-communication-skills-for-adult-success-abje0164

Earning Speech-Language Pathology CEUs Online is Simplified with SLP Nerdcast.

On SLP Nerdcast you’ll find SLP Continuing Education Courses, Masterclasses and Clinical Resources.

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Learning Objectives:

1. Self report knowledge gains related to client-driven goal setting and explain its importance in fostering independence for neurodiverse teens and young adults.

1. Self report knowledge gains related to social and communication skills essential for success in adulthood, including self-advocacy and perspective-taking. 

1. Self report knowledge gains related to tools and strategies to implement effective group therapy sessions for neurodiverse teens and young adults

References & Resources:

1. LaRue, R. H., et al. "Employment and Vocational Skills for Individuals with Autism."

Handbook of Quality of Life for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, edited by

Justin B. Leaf et al., Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 2022, pp. 377–395.

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98507-3_21. 

2. Foster, S. K., Wiczer, E., and Eberhardt, N. B. "What’s So Hard about Soft Skills?:

When They Enter the Work World, Our Former Students Can No Longer Count on IEP

Support. To Succeed, They Need 'Soft Skills.' And We Can Help Students Cultivate

Them." The ASHA Leader, vol. 24, no. 12, 2019, pp. 52–60.

https://doi.org/10.1044/leader.FTR2.24122019.52. 

3. Flores, Deirdre. "SLP-Run Group Sessions Help Neurodivergent Young Adults Manage

the Often Overwhelming Social World of Dating." The ASHA Leader, 30 Jan. 2025.

https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/leader.FTR2b.30012025.slp-dating-skills-neurod

ivergent.53/full/. 

4. EdSurge. "Why Soft Skills Matter More Than Ever." EdSurge, 20 Nov. 2024,

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2024-11-20-why-soft-skills-matter-more-than-ever#:~:tex

t=In%20our%20tech%2Ddriven%20world,to%20thrive%20beyond%20the%20classroom 

.

5. Laugeson, Elizabeth A. PEERS® for Young Adults: Social Skills Training for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Social Challenges. Routledge, 2017. 

6. Pallathra, A. A., et al. "Psychosocial Interventions Targeting Social Functioning in

Adults on the Autism Spectrum: A Literature Review." Current Psychiatry Reports, vol.

21, no. 1, 2019, article 5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-0989-0. 

7. Hendricks, D. R., and Wehman, P. "Transition from School to Adulthood for Youth with

Autism Spectrum Disorders: Review and Recommendations." Focus on Autism and

Other Developmental Disabilities, vol. 24, no. 2, 2009, pp. 77–88.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357608329827. 

8. Andrés-Gárriz, C., et al. "Promoting Self-Determination in Young Adults with Autism: A

Multicenter, Mixed Methods Study." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders,

2025, Open Access. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-025-06045-9. 

(Replace with exact link if different) 

9. Yaar, E., et al. "SPAN-ASD: Pilot Implementation to Promote Functional Goals of Autistic Adolescents and Young Adults." Research in Developmental Disabilities, vol. 155, 2024, article 104864. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37769395/. 

10. McDonald, T. A. M., et al. "Appropriateness, Acceptability, and Feasibility of a

Neurodiversity-Based Self-Determination Program for Autistic Adults." Journal of Autism

and Developmental Disorders, vol. 53, no. 8, 2023, pp. 2933–2953. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36848588/. 

11. Martino, D. C., et al. "The Role of Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination in Positive

Adjustment for Autistic Adolescents and Young Adults: A Mini-Review." Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, vol. 4, 2025, article 1542543. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38629412/. 

12. Laugeson, Elizabeth A., et al. "Evidence-Based Social Skills Training for Adolescents

with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The UCLA PEERS Program." Journal of Autism and

Developmental Disorders, vol. 42, no. 6, 2012, pp. 1025–1036.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1339-1. 

13. Autism Speaks. "Collaboration Addresses Transition to Adulthood for Autism Patients." Autism Speaks, 14 July 2023,

https://www.autismspeaks.org/press-release/collaboration-addresses-transition-adulthoo

d-autism-patients. Accessed 29 June 2025.