Failure To Launch Syndrome:

“Failure To Launch” (FTL) syndrome affects over seven million adult Americans (Scientific American, Ellen Hendrickson, Ph.D., 2014). This is a 25% increase from 10 years earlier. While not an official disorder, it is a phenomenon in which young adults struggle to make the transition into independence and self-sufficiency. This may often present as withdrawing from society, blaming others for their struggles, limited motivation to change, depression, anxiety, and/or failed attempts at college or career.

The failures may be a result of executive dysfunction due to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or depression and anxiety. Retreating from the world provides a sense of safety from future failures, such as finding lasting employment, attempting new relationships, or completing college.

This problem is growing at epidemic proportions. Awareness of mental health and neurodiversity is also growing as are the needs. The Covid pandemic has also contributed to increased rates of school failure, failure to launch and mental illness. Therefore, the need to assist young adults with executive functioning and mental health issues is significant.

According to SAMHSA (2014), addressing mental health and well-being is essential to young adults becoming productive members of society. Problems in mental health directly impact their ability to succeed. Approximately one million 16- to 17-year-olds and 6.4 million young adults (18-25) had any mental illness in the study year. It is highly suggested that early intervention with these young adults is necessary in order for them to thrive.

According to the research, this group is less likely to have the foundation needed to succeed than their peers that do not have mental health struggles. They are more likely to have challenges with academics, employment, and pro-social behavior. Without treatment, they are more likely to experience a poorer quality of life across the lifespan.

Additionally, the needs of these young adults cause a financial and emotional strain on the parents. They require the attention and support of that of a younger child, and their lack of self-sufficiency appears to be ongoing and indefinite to the parent. This is painful and worrisome for parents, who often do not know how to respond.

In general, the young adult (YA) treatment industry is a subset of the mental health system, serving teens and young adults with Learning Disorders (LD), Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Executive Functioning (EF) challenges as well as mental health challenges. Treatment centers may include inpatient, outpatient and residential services with varying degrees of mental health, life skills and executive functioning coaching services.  

Additionally, the few residential programs that address Executive Functioning are more specific to ASD, and many of them are being served and funded by Regional Centers (RC). RCs are government funded centers that provide an array of services for individuals with developmental disabilities including diagnosis and assessment of eligibility, planning, access, coordination and monitoring of services and supports, often throughout a lifetime.

Our Failure to Launch Program serves a more blended population of young adults that struggle with EF, life skills, social skills and/or mental health with the possibility of secondary substance use disorders. They may have high functioning autism, but not exclusively. Our program integrates weekly therapy plus life coaching and daily group sessions to motivate emerging adults to develop and work their own custom program to get unstuck and move forward into a healthy and functionally independent life. For more information about our program or to schedule a free assessment for your emerging adult, see our Failure To Launch Program here. (Link to our Failure to Launch page).

Since 1993, Debbie Murad LCSW has been providing Psychotherapy and Coaching Services to residents in Palos Verdes California. Her experience includes clinical, program development, training and supervisory/administration roles. Her experience and her therapeutic and life coaching team provide unparalleled service to customize a program that is effective and efficient.  A graduate of USC, Debbie has spent over 25 years as a Clinical Social Worker. Her therapy private practice has also helped her develop Visionary Coaching Programs to help her clients get unstuck and move on to a more fulfilling life.