April 11th, 2021

TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD

This is from: "Life Journey Through Autism: A Guide for Transition to Adulthood" 

​Transition planning, therefore, refers to the process that uncovers, develops, and documents the skills, challenges, goals, and tasks that will be important as a student moves from school to adulthood. This is both an official process and one of personal discovery, which you and your young adult will undertake with the help of his school and other concerned professionals. Approaching transition planning with a positive goal orientation will help create a successful and rewarding process for both you and your young adult with ASD. The 2004 revision of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines “transition services” as a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that is: 
Results-oriented―focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the young adult with a disability.
Supportive―designed to facilitate the young adult’s movement from school to post school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated or supported employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation.
Student-centered―based on the individual young adult’s needs, taking into account strengths, preferences, and interests
Comprehensive―includes instruction and related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

As Lewis Carroll wrote, “If you don’t know where you are going, any path will take you there.” A good transition plan will be your path to a successful adulthood for your young adult with ASD.

Transition planning is so important for children with disabilities. 
Helpful Links:
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.summ.rights.htm
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html
​https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/edlite-FAPE504.html