When our
kids (meaning under 21) are still in school, it can be hectic but there is a
stability to that hecticness. We know the hours that they’ll be at the school, who
they’re associating with, and usually have the supports needed to make the day
to day details work. But like thunderclouds forming on the horizon, turning 21
and “transitioning” looms. According to Pennsylvania Transition Guide (www.secondarytransition.org ), “Secondary
Transition is the process of preparing students for adult life after they leave
high school. Transition planning begins at age 14, or younger if determined
appropriate by the IEP team, as students consider their
goals for the time after graduation through career awareness exploration
activities.” It all
sounds good on paper, but the families I talk to are either scared, uninformed
of options, or confused (or all three!).
Tell me
what’s happening in your life around transition. Do you have it all figured out
and have the resources to make good decisions? Or are you struggling and don’t
know what to do or what way to turn? What’s your story? What are your concerns? Have
you found a resource that would help others?
Join the
conversation!
When we think about kids without disabilities graduating high school, it’s usually a time of excitement and joyful planning – what college, where to live, getting started as an adult with a wide open world to choose from. But with our kids with disabilities the conversation most times is covered in dread – how will we adapt, what will the day look like, can we make the change work.
ReplyDeletewe hear people say that they don't know which way to turn and there are so many resources but they don't know which are the ones they should use.
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