From Autism Transition Handbook
Transition Overview and Timeline
General information for all families
PA/DE families click icons for general+state information
Contents |
What is Transition?
“Transition is the process occurring during the four to six years (or longer) before the student leaves school. Parents, students and school personnel and other agencies must determine what the educational system will do to make the move as seamless as possible. This process involves developing transition goals and objectives as part of the Individualized Educational Program for students in Special Education.” [1]
Planning Timeline
Key Milestones by Age:
- At any age: Consider applying for Supplemental Security Income and Medical Assistance, registering with your local Medicaid agency for Medicaid Waivers and Wrap Around Services
- By Age 12: Begin Person-Centered Futures Planning
- By Age 14: Transition Planning in the IEP begins.
- By Age 14: Reach out to your school district's Transition coordinator.
- Age 18: Register to Vote and male students register with Selective Service
- Age 18: Eligibility rules change from child to adult for SSI
- Age 18: Start to review adult services and eligibility requirements
- Age 21: Child is no longer eligible for Autism Insurance Coverage, EPSDT or BHRS (Wraparound)
- Age 21: Adult waiver programs may be open to eligible adults
- By Age 22: Entitlement to FAPE ends or at age when child graduated with diploma
A printable version of the Timeline is available in Timeline for Transition Planning
To Consider at Any Age
- Is my child eligible for Supplemental Security Income Benefits(SSI)?
- Is my child receiving service coordination services (case management) through the Medicaid Waiver?
- Is my child involved with Recreation/leisure activities?
- Are medical counseling needs being addressed?
- Is my child increasing his or her responsibilities at home?
- Has a determination been made about guardianship, if needed?
- Is my child learning self-advocacy skills?
For additional preparation, see Family Preparation for Transition from the Gretchen Everhart School
By age 12
- Begin to collect information on Waiver funding and possible services (if eligible)
- Begin to explore employment interests, aptitudes, and abilities
- Continue to explore, assess, and teach self-help, ADL skills
- Continue to develop communication and social skills
- State photo ID may be obtained for child as young as 10 in some states
- Begin Person-Centered Futures Planning
By age 14
- Continue employment exploration of interests, aptitudes, and abilities
- School conducts first IEP/Transition Meeting
- Reach out to your school district's Transition coordinator.
- Begin community based employment training;
- Begin to apply for appropriate waiver funding if needed
- Apply for Supplemental Security Income Benefits(SSI)
- Acquire state identification (photo ID) card
By age 15
- Set up Special Needs Trust
- Open State Support Services case if not done already
- Explore work, residential and leisure options
- Assess and determine eligibility for adult services
By age 16
- Identify employment interests and skills the student can use in a career
- School assesses student in transition with focus on adult outcomes
- IEP meeting must also include any involved agencies to discuss future
- Include activities such as career exploration, job sampling
- Begin to identify community services that provide job training placement and other community resources
- Consider volunteer experiences
- Discussion and writing of the criteria for graduation (either school district requirements or the completion of the IEP)
- Begin to gather information regarding guardianship, health care proxy, and emancipation
- Determine need for Financial Support; Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, state financial supplemental programs
- Identify health care providers
Age 16-18
- Examine social security benefits
- Collect information about Residential or Independent Living services
- Apply to OVR for services if appropriate
- Transportation: use of public transportation, travel training, ride sharing, driver’s license training if appropriate.
Age 17-18
- Parents address legal issues of guardianship, health care proxy and emancipation
- Continue to update transition plan
- Have student visit colleges/career training schools if appropriate
Age 18
- Male students register with Selective Service
- Register to vote
- Parents review health insurance (private or Medicaid)
- Apply or recertify for Social Security Benefits
- Apply for financial support programs (Vocational Rehabilitation, independent living services, personal assistant services)
Age 18-21
- Continue to review and update transition plan
- Prepare resume and/or portfolio
- Visit programs that may provide vocational or other services for the student after high school ends
- A notice will be given one year before the child reaches the age of majority (21 years old in some states) informing the student and parents of his/her IDEA rights, and that they will transfer from the adult to the child.
See Also:
Organization for Autism Research's Broad Timeline for Middle School and High School for Vocational Planning
Categories: Abilities | Aptitudes | Assess | Coordinator | District | Emancipation | Explore | FAPE | Financial | Funding | Futures | Graduated | Guardianship | Habilitation | IDEA | IEP | Insurance | Leisure | Medicaid | OVR | Photo | Proxy | Selective | Selective Service | Social Security | SSI | Supplemental Security Income | Support | Timeline | Update | Waiver | Wrap
