Differences in youth and parent postsecondary expectations for youth with disabilities

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Parent expectations are known to be significant predictors of postsecondary outcomes among youth with disabilities. However, little is known about the relationship between parent and youth expectations and their differential prediction of postsecondary outcomes among youth with disabilities. OBJECTIVE:To determine the relationship between parent and youth expectations among students with disabilities in the United States. METHODS:Through analysis of the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), we compared wave two parent and youth expectations across disability categories (N=1,940) and explored the extent to which they predicted youth postsecondary outcomes. RESULTS:We identified that parent and youth expectations are related but significantly different, with parents consistently holding less independent expectations than youth. Both parent and youth expectations were identified as significant predictors of postsecondary outcomes, with youth expectations more strongly predicting education and independent living outcomes, and parent expectations more strongly predicting employment and Social Security benefit outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:Transition providers should work with parents and youth to develop collaborative goals and expectations to best support youth with disabilities for independent activities in adulthood.

Autistic Adolescents' and Their Parents' Visions for the Future: How Aligned Are They?

“…A quantitative study also looked at the parentadolescent agreement related to transition; a longitudinal analysis of 1940 students with a wide range of disabilities (including autism) suggested that the postsecondary expectations of parents and adolescents weakly-to-moderately correlated with each other. 24 Adolescents' expectations were consistently more independent (e.g., living in the community and earning enough to support themselves) than the expectations of their parents. 24 The authors also found that both adolescents' and parents' expectations predicted youth postsecondary outcomes.…”

“…24 Adolescents' expectations were consistently more independent (e.g., living in the community and earning enough to support themselves) than the expectations of their parents. 24 The authors also found that both adolescents' and parents' expectations predicted youth postsecondary outcomes. Specifically, adolescents' expectations were stronger predictors of their postsecondary outcomes in the areas of education and independent living, whereas parents' expectations were stronger predictors of employment and financial independence.…”

“…Specifically, adolescents' expectations were stronger predictors of their postsecondary outcomes in the areas of education and independent living, whereas parents' expectations were stronger predictors of employment and financial independence. 24 Thus, although they may disagree, both parent and youth expectations relate to future outcomes in different ways.…”

Parent and Youth Post-School Expectations: Students With Intellectual Disability in Rural Schools

“…Given that a goal of secondary education is to develop students with disabilities who are self-determined, youth should have expectations and the said expectations should impact their educational and post-school planning and goals. Within the literature, examining the expectations of youth with disabilities, Kirby et al (2019) concluded that students’ expectations for themselves were higher than their parents. Using data from the NLTS2, Kirby et al (2019) found youth expectations predicted independent living and post secondary education to a greater extent, whereas parent expectations were more associated with employment.…”

“…Within the literature, examining the expectations of youth with disabilities, Kirby et al (2019) concluded that students’ expectations for themselves were higher than their parents. Using data from the NLTS2, Kirby et al (2019) found youth expectations predicted independent living and post secondary education to a greater extent, whereas parent expectations were more associated with employment. Previous researchers also reported higher youth expectations than parental expectations (Wagner et al, 2007).…”