ABSTRACT
Adolescence is generally recognized as a time of particular stress. The ‘symptoms’ of adolescent turmoil, and those of the handicapped teenagers in particular, have been discussed in chapters 5, 6 and 8. The years around the age of leaving school are of crucial importance for all young people in gaining personal independence and confidence, but even more so for handicapped teenagers. Moving from the secure and sheltered environment of school to the unknown, outside world can be extremely traumatic and, apart from the search for employment, coping with daily living and getting out and meeting new people requires social skills and confidence which may not develop unaided at school.
