Changing lives and transforming futures of Young Autistic People

Our Son, Adam, has a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome and struggles with all aspects of social interaction and changes to routine. We were very worried how the step up to University and living away from home would affect him, but we wanted the opportunity for him to try it. Next Step Transitions provided invaluable assistance from helping with accommodation, organising tutor support through weekly meetings, acquiring assistive technology and recording aids to assist with taking lecture notes. With all the assistance and support in place, Adam was able to work to the best of his ability, has made friends and is very independent. He has exceeded our expectations and is on the Deans list in recognition of his first year examination results. We would recommend Next Step Transitions to any Parents and their children seeking help and guidance when making the ‘Next Step’ to University.

Joe Martin worked with the Northern Regional College providing a transition support programme to many of our students who had ASC. During the time Joe was transition officer he introduced students to the college at an early stage this allowed for the planning of their specific support needs. This in turn helped to reduce the anxiety felt by the students and their families as they made the transition from school to college life. We at the college found the service which Joe provided to be very beneficial to students, their families and indeed to the college. I feel that there is a drastic need for such a support service for young people and their parents/carers. The service provided us with a vital link to the local secondary school community and ensured the smooth transition of each and every child.

My Autistic daughter had to change university courses and go through clearing late on in the process and this seemed like an impossible task but Next Step Transitions came to the rescue and kept us right. I only wish that every Grammar/Secondary school in NI were aware of such an informative service and were able to make parents aware of their existence. I highly recommend this service to all schools, parents, carers and most importantly the young person needing their assistance.

This is an invaluable service and there is no way we could have navigated this system without Joe. He is amazing at what he does and is so professional, so knowledgeable and makes you feel so at ease and that absolutely nothing is a problem. This service needs to be promoted and anyone who is transitioning with additional needs should be aware of Next Step Transitions. We are so very grateful to have had access to this service and anyone I meet I will tell them about the incredible support we received. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We can’t thank Next Step Transitions enough, as a family they have been so dedicated to us, helping us, as well as my son explore his options and make the transition to college. You will never know what you have done for us as a family. Nothing was ever too much trouble, you made us feel we had so much support and help with you, we really don’t know how to thank you. Next Step Transitions is a great organisation with wonderful people.

As the mother of an autistic son with extreme anxiety who rarely left his house and had no friends! I cannot express how grateful we are to Next Step Transitions for their outstanding support through our next chapter in life. They helped us so much and advocated on our behalf helping my son secure a place in vocational training and made sure he had the support that he needed in place. He has settled really well into his new course and more importantly has made new friends.

My son Ryan has a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome and Dyslexia. He has had a Learning Assistant since Primary 3 which has allowed him to excel in school. I assumed all support would end when he went to university and I worried how he would cope. Mr Joe Martin from Next Step Transitions spoke to Ryan in school regarding help available to him and then met with Ryan and I in June to discuss his options. I have to say Joe has been remarkable! He has gone above and beyond to make this process so much more manageable for Ryan. Change for those with Autism is incredibly difficult but Joe has made all the difference. He is able to prepare Ryan for what meetings are upcoming and what to expect in those meetings. He is also the font of all knowledge when it comes to what help is available and if he doesn’t know he’ll find out and come back to us. I would thoroughly recommend any parent in my situation to use Next Step Transitions and if they are lucky enough to have Joe on board so much the better for all involved!

I just wanted to record my deep appreciation for the support and guidance that my son received from both Joe and Joanne in Next Step Transitions throughout his transition from 6th form to successfully gaining a place at the University of Ulster and acquiring appropriate accommodation at the Coleraine Campus.