My Transition & Self-Advocacy Companion (18–25)

A Launch Simulator for emerging adults moving into college, work and independent living. Rehearse roommate, professor and workplace conversations on a living stage where the other person reacts to your choices, pair warmth with firm limits in the Shield & Bridge builder, check your wording on an on-device assertiveness dial, save DEAR MAN scripts and practice with an optional AI partner. Built with autistic, ADHD and anxious young adults in mind. Rehearsal and psychoeducation only — not therapy.

Why rehearsal helps during emerging adulthood

Ages 18–25, which Jeffrey Arnett called emerging adulthood, bring new demands to ask for accommodations, set boundaries and negotiate with people who hold power. Practicing in a low-stakes space builds the confidence to try a skill in real life. The companion uses DBT interpersonal effectiveness skills (Linehan, 2015) and Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

A living rehearsal stage

Branching scenarios — a roommate party night, a professor and exam accommodations, a workplace request — show the other person’s face and a tension meter that shift with each choice. Feedback names the skill you used, such as DEAR MAN, Broken Record or a valid self-protective exit. Reactions are illustrative; real people vary and your safety always comes first.

Shield & Bridge boundary builder

Pair a Bridge (DBT GIVE: gentle, interested, validating, easy manner) with a Shield (DBT FAST: fair, no unnecessary apologies, stick to values, truthful). Pick from examples, then edit into your own words. The result can be saved as a script, copied or taken into AI role-play.

On-device assertiveness dial

The dial highlights words that often tip a message toward passive ("sorry," "just," "if that’s okay") or sharp ("you always," "whatever"), and phrases that sound assertive ("I need," "can we"). It runs entirely on your device using simple word patterns — nothing is sent anywhere, and it is an educational nudge, not a judgment.

Self-determination radar and privacy

A radar tracks autonomy, competence and relatedness check-ins and suggests one small next step for whichever feels lowest. Scripts, progress and check-ins stay in your browser. An optional AI helper gives one short reply only when you approve that single request. Before anything leaves the device, last names, places, contact details, dates and health details are removed on the device and again on the server; replies are not stored. A clinician can lock AI off on a device with a PIN plus professional credential. The role-play partner style is a fixed choice — calm, realistic or pushy — so prompts stay bounded.

How to use this tool

  1. Choose a scenario on the Stage and try a path; replay to compare outcomes.
  2. Build a boundary in Shield + bridge and watch the assertiveness dial.
  3. Save it, or write a full DEAR MAN script in the Script studio.
  4. Optionally approve one AI role-play turn with a calm, realistic or pushy partner.
  5. Log a self-determination check-in and try the suggested next step.

Common questions

What is DEAR MAN in DBT?
DEAR MAN is a DBT interpersonal effectiveness skill for asking for what you want: Describe, Express, Assert, Reinforce, stay Mindful, Appear confident and Negotiate.
How do I set a boundary with a roommate without a fight?
Describe the situation factually, say how it affects you, make one clear request and offer something that works for both of you. Pairing warmth with a firm limit — a bridge and a shield — tends to lower defensiveness.
How can I ask a professor for disability accommodations?
Register with your disability services office first, then tell the professor you are requesting your approved accommodations, name them specifically and explain how they let you demonstrate what you know. The Script studio includes a starter template.
Is the AI role-play safe and private?
Each AI reply requires your approval, identifying details are removed on the device and again on the server, replies are not stored, and a clinician can lock AI off. The assertiveness dial never uses AI.
Who is this for?
Young adults 18–25, including autistic, ADHD and socially anxious young people, preparing for college, work or living with others. It is free psychoeducational practice, not therapy.

Where this fits

This companion is free psychoeducational self-help. It is not therapy, diagnosis, or crisis care, and it does not replace a licensed clinician. Everything you enter is stored locally in your own browser and is never transmitted to a server.

It lives inside FeelingsHelper Adults Mode, alongside more than sixty other free companions for autism, ADHD, PTSD, and trauma.

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