Adult Outcomes for Students with Cognitive Disabilities Three-Years After High School: The Impact of Self-Determination

This article reports a follow-up study of school leavers with mental retardation or learning disabilities who were surveyed 1-and 3-years after they left school to determine what they were doing in major life areas (employment, independent living or community integration). Students were divided into two groups based on self-determination scores collected during their final year at high school. Comparisons between these groups on outcomes at 1 and 3 years post-graduation indicate that students who were more self-determined fared better across multiple life categories, including employment and access to health and other benefits, financial independence, and independent living.