STAGES:
Skills for Transition, Adulthood, Growth, & Everyday Success
Building Independence.
Strengthening Confidence.
Creating Social Success.
This therapeutic, skill-building program is led by licensed professionals who understand the unique strengths and challenges of young adults on the spectrum.
WHO WE SERVE
- Neurodivergent young adults, ages 18-26
- Autism spectrum (Level 1 or Level 2)
- With or without cognitive delays
- Post high school – with or without diploma
- Need structured support in building independence
- Benefit from small, therapeutic group settings
- Benefit from individualized support
- Exploring independence and life skills programs, and/or employment
- Has limited or no history of disruptive or aggressive behavior
OUR APPROACH
Through intentionally small group settings, our collaborative team of licensed therapists provides:
- Individualized, goal-driven support
- Strengths-based programming
- Direct teaching of foundational and advanced life skills
- Real-world practice and generalization of skills
- Ongoing assessment and adjustment of goals
We partner closely with families by offering weekly parent support groups focusing on:
- Independence
- Community integration
- Self-advocacy
- Long-term success
CORE FOCUS AREAS
Communication Skills
- Appropriate Greetings
- Starting and Maintaining Conversations
- Reading Social Cues
- Understanding Nonverbal Communication
- Perspective Taking
- Self-Advocacy
- Problem Solving
Social Skills
- Emotional Regulation
- Social Awareness
- Friendship Skills
- Building and Maintaining Relationships
- Conflict Resolution
- Assertive Skills
- Navigating Group Dynamics
- Developing Skills for Dating and Relationships
Independent Living Skills
- Daily Living Skills
- Time Management
- Organization
- Executive Function Skills
- Community Safety and Awareness
- Budgeting and Money Management
Vocational Pathways
- Job Readiness
- Interview Skills
- Workplace Communication
- Career Exploration
- Task Initiation and Follow Through
- Following a Schedule
- Teamwork and Collaboration
Career and College Readiness Support
- Career counseling
- Guidance for vocational programs
- Support for adaptive college pathways
- Collaboration with families and outside providers
Through partnerships with the Texas Workforce Commission and community partners across the DFW area, we create ongoing opportunities for:
- Job readiness training
- Workplace communication
- Interview preparation
- Professional etiquette
- Teamwork and task completion
- Career exploration
What Makes Our Program Unique
Unlike larger programs that focus solely on academic or vocational placement, our program is grounded in clinical expertise. Every group, skill-building activity, and vocational experience is facilitated by licensed therapists who understand autism, neurodivergence, executive functioning challenges, social communication differences, and the emotional complexity that can accompany the transition into adulthood.
We intentionally keep our program small to ensure a high quality experience. This allows us to:
- Provide individualized, goal-driven support
- Monitor progress closely
- Adjust interventions in real time
- Ensure each participant feels seen, known, and supported
- Encourage collaborative family involvement
At the same time, we balance individualized attention with meaningful peer interaction. Participants engage in structured group social experiences that promote authentic connection, perspective-taking, problem-solving, and real-world social competence.
A key component that truly sets our program apart is our commitment to real-world practice. Each week, participants engage in structured community outings designed to help generalize the skills they are learning in session. Whether practicing ordering food, navigating transportation, budgeting during shopping trips, engaging in professional communication, or participating in volunteer and vocational experiences, these outings allow young adults to apply skills in authentic environments. Therapists provide in-the-moment coaching, feedback, and support, helping participants build confidence and independence beyond the walls of our center.
The result is a program that feels both personalized and connected — where young adults build skills, strengthen confidence, and practice independence within a supportive therapeutic community.
At STAGES, we do not believe in one-size-fits-all programming. We believe in intentional, relational, clinically informed support that empowers young adults to move toward lasting independence and true social success.
Our program emphasizes:
- Direct instruction
- Guided practice
- Real-world application
- Therapeutic processing
- Collaborative family involvement
We meet each participant exactly where they are and help them move forward with confidence.
OUR MISSION
To empower young adults on the autism spectrum to develop the social, adaptive, and vocational skills necessary for meaningful independence and social success.
A TYPICAL WEEK AT OUR PROGRAM
Each week is intentionally structured to provide consistency, therapeutic support, and meaningful opportunities to build independence in a supportive, engaging environment.
Monday–Thursday (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Movement & Self-Regulation
Social Skills & Functional Communication
Healthy Lifestyles
Therapeutic Services & Skill Development
- Art therapy
- Social group therapy
- Executive functioning skills coaching
- Music therapy
Friday: Vocational Pathways & Community Integration
Morning: Vocational Pathways
Afternoon: Community Outings & Hands-On Training
- Community-based learning experiences
- Budgeting and purchasing tasks
- Navigating restaurants and community spaces
- Transportation training
- Volunteer or vocational experiences
- Community engagement activities
- Workplace exposure and communication training
This weekly structure allows participants to learn, practice, and apply skills across settings, creating a meaningful pathway toward independence, vocational success, and social confidence.
Therapists provide in-the-moment coaching and reflective processing to help participants translate practice into lasting independence. This weekly structure allows young adults to learn, practice, reflect, and apply skills — building confidence and competence in both supported and real-world environments.
WEEKLY PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
Let's Talk About What You Need
