The impact of a transitional training program for young adults with learning disabilities

A study was conducted in 1988-1990 at Lesley College's (Cambridge, Massachusetts) Threshold Program, one of the few campus-based, comprehensive transition programs in the country for young adults with learning disabilities functioning in the low-average intellectual range. The goal of the study was to assess the ability of program graduates from the classes of 1984 to 1987 to successfully manage the demands of independent living and competitive employment after intensive training in Threshold's 2- to 3-year program. From a total of 71 graduates contacted, 45 participated in the study, including 34 females and 11 males. The subjects ranged in age from 21 to 31 with the average age being 24. Information was gathered from all subjects through written questionnaires and personal or telephone contact. Small-group interviews were conducted with a sample of eight subjects. Factors contributing to the stability of competitive employment and independent living, support systems most commonly used, and specific impacts of the Threshold program on the lives of its graduates were studied. The data revealed that 61% of the respondents were currently employed in one of Threshold's fields of training, 52% had held their jobs for at least 1 year, and 42% (excluding cohort '87) held their jobs for at least 2 years. Seventy-five percent were living independently and 84% of those had maintained an apartment for more than 1 year. Subjects found compatibility with roommates and money management to be the biggest challenges. They perceived themselves as being quite independent and felt they would not be as successful without the opportunity of this program model.