The FORWARD (Foundations for Opportunity, Readiness, Work, Advocacy, Resilience and Development) Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) supports 16-25-year-old individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) as they transition to adulthood. Younger teens (ages 14-15) may be eligible for the FORWARD Program in special cases.
FORWARD brings together clinical care, research and education to help older teens and young adults with IDD build the skills they need to reach their goals. Our services include:
- Transition-to-adulthood evaluations
- Evaluations for intellectual disability
- Psychiatry consultations for medication guidance
- Follow-up sessions to support young adults with their transition to adulthood
How we serve you
The FORWARD Program is uniquely designed to meet the needs of older teens and young adults with IDD and those who are seeking an evaluation for IDD. The FORWARD Program combines expert clinical care backed by rigorous research, as well as family education and resources, to help individuals with IDD achieve their goals and reach personally fulfilling levels of independence.
Conditions we treat
The FORWARD Program provides support for older teens and young adults ages 16-25 with the following intellectual and developmental disabilities:
- Dup15q Syndrome
- Intellectual Disability
- Prader-Willi Syndrome
Why choose us
Our team specializes in helping older teens and young adults with IDD build the skills they need to thrive – combining expertise in genetic syndromes associated with IDD, leading clinical care, robust research and hands-on family support all in one place.
Meet our team
Our multidisciplinary team includes experts in psychology, social work, psychiatry and occupational therapy. We're dedicated to helping teens and young adults with IDD achieve a personally meaningful and higher quality life.
FORWARD locations
Access experts in the FORWARD Program at two locations.
Our research
Our research is quickly translatable into actionable steps that improve outcomes for young adults with IDD. We are currently developing a program to support healthy dating relationships for older teens and young adults with IDD.
Resources for families
It can be challenging to navigate the transition to adulthood and to identify community and government supports. Our resources can help.
What to expect
If you or your loved one already has an intellectual disability diagnosis:
You’ll begin with a social worker to identify goals for adulthood and determine next steps. This may include a transition assessment with a psychologist, a psychiatry consultation for medication guidance, or both. If recommended, these services typically take place over 1–3 visits and help guide ongoing care. After the initial social work session and any assessments by other providers, most individuals will meet with a social worker another 3–5 times over the course of a year to help them implement their transition plan.
If you or your loved one does not yet have a diagnosis:
You’ll meet with a psychologist for 1–3 visits to complete a comprehensive evaluation. This process helps determine whether an intellectual disability or another neurodevelopmental or mental health condition is present and informs recommendations for next steps.
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