4 Important Areas of Transition For Your Child Receiving Special Education Services

Do you have a child with autism that is 16 years of age or above, receiving special education services? Do you worry about what will happen to your child, after they are no long eligible, for special education services at the age of 22? Would you like to learn what 4 areas need to be considered when you are writing a transition plan for your child? This article will discuss four important areas of transition, that must be included ,when special education personnel write a transition plan for your child.The Individual with Disabilities Education Act require a transition plan and needed transition services on the plan, for all children with disabilities who are 16 years of age. Some states require that the plan be developed when the child is 14 and ½, so check with your state board of education and see what the age requirements are in your state.Transition Services means a coordinated set of activities, designed in a result oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement, of the child with a disability to facilitate movement from school to post school activities.There are 4 areas that must be addressed in the transition plan, these are:1. Employment is defined as competitive, supported etc. Transition assessments may be done in the area of employment to determine Strengths, weaknesses, preferences and interest of the student in developing post school outcomes. You may request a functional vocational evaluation, if you think that your child needs it. It is important to have high expectations in the area of employment so to help a child reach their full potential.2. Post Secondary Education is defined as college 2 yr. 4 yr, trade school, vocational school based on student preference. The transition goals should help bring the student to the place they need to be in order to go to post secondary education.3. Post Secondary Training is defined as vocational training, independent living skills training. This is different from #2 because this training is usually given by an agency that works with adults with disabilities. This would be appropriate for students with moderate to severe disabilities, though high expectations should still be expected. Hopefully this training can be given in the community and not at the agencies building (most people refer to such as sheltered workshops). Community is always better!4. Independent Living Skills training if needed, and is defined as, activities of daily living, functional home skills, cooking, shopping, housework, money skills, budgets, transportation, recreation/leisure, and future planning.I believe that all students regardless of the level of their disability must be given functional skills training and independent living skills training. It will help the adult become as independent as they can be, and will ensure that they reach their full potential.If you make sure that your child’s transition plan includes these 4 areas: Employment, Post secondary education, Post secondary training, and Independent Living Skills training, your child will be on their way to reaching their full potential as an adult.