Transition to Adulthood
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Planning for the future and finances for your child is hard enough but add the complexity of making decisions about the future care of children with special needs, it becomes even more challenging. Taking an intentional approach to guide young people with disabilities by creating goals and experiences through education (school district), supports, therapies and services can help them prepare for a meaningful life.
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As your child reaches 14 years old or 8th Grade, your home school district should be discussing options for your child's vocation, whether that means going to college or being trained for a specific vocation. This is the time that your child will be assessed on their interests and skills to determine what direction they want to take for a career. Click for a downloadable checklist that begins in middle school and goes to high school.
The child must be invited to future IEP meetings and if cannot attend, the school district must make other arrangements to ensure that the child's preferences are considered.
When children turn 18, the school must invite a representative of any participating agency that is likely to be responsible for providing or paying for transition services. Parents should seek Guardianship or won't be invited to IEP meetings when the child becomes 18.
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What is transfer of rights at age of majority?
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In PA, age 21 for special education, unless determined b a court of law to be incompetent.
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The public agency must provide any notice required by this part to both the child and the parents.
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All rights transfer to the child, including students who are incarcerated.
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Exception: a child who has reached age 21, but can't be determined not to have the ability to provide informed consent with respect to their educational program, parents can seek guardianship, power of attorney or other means provided by state law to continue making decisions for their child.
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In Transition Planning, the purpose of IDEA is to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living. In the last year, school isn't required to do a re-evaluation before they leave unless the child falls within the 2-3 year time frame. Public agencies must provide the child with a summary of the child's academic achievement and functional performance, which shall include recommendations on how to assist the child in meeting the child's post secondary goals. School district receives federal funds for special education services which includes paras and job coaches. This can be included in the IEP. Also transportation should be provided to the job.
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Based on the child's needs, strengths, preferences and interests, the following can be included in their goals:
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Instruction
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Related services
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Community experiences
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The development of employment and other post school adult living objectives and
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if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.
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Next you'll want to read the article First Five Steps in Special Needs Planning to make informed decisions to protect the future of your child.
If your a parent or professional in the Lehigh County area, get involved in the quarterly Carbon Lehigh Transition Coordinating Council Meetings at the IU Administration Building in Schnecksville, PA. For more information or to see the meeting minutes, click on www.cliu.org/page/352.
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A new Autism Advocacy Team is being formed to address issues involving the transition phase for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. Parents and professionals who would like to advocate young adults who are graduating from high school and need services are encouraged to join.
Contact: Donna Verdiglione-Hazan at nyyankees46fan@aol.com
or Mimi Ludwig at mlludwig@ptd.net.
Where: Meetings are held at the ARCH of LV (1347 Hausman Rd, Allentown, PA)
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Check out PA Family Members of Adults with Autism or Intellectual Disability
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SEPaAutismFamilyMembersOfAdults/