Transition Planning | How To Prepare For Life After High School...

Summary

This video discusses the importance of secondary transition planning for students with disabilities, starting at age 13. It covers key benchmarks in the IEP process, including setting post-secondary goals related to education, employment, and independent living. The video emphasizes the role of students, parents, and external agencies like DARS in ensuring a smooth transition from high school to adulthood. It highlights various transition services such as job shadowing, internships, and independent living skills training. The ultimate goal is to create a personalized, measurable transition plan that supports the student’s future success.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Transition planning for students begins at age 13 during their annual IEP meeting, focusing on post-secondary goals.
• 🏫 At age 15, the IEP must include information about agencies responsible for services after high school to ensure a seamless transition.
• 🔗 Interagency linkages are vital for post-high school support, involving agencies like DARS and college Disability Resource offices.
• 📊 Transition goals must be based on evaluations and assessments tailored to individual student needs, ensuring progress can be measured.
• 🛠️ Transition services may include teaching independent living skills, job shadowing, and community experiences to prepare students for adulthood.
• 🏠 Practical examples of transition services are touring apartments, budgeting exercises, and participating in driver's education.
• 💡 It's essential for students to be actively involved in their IEP meetings, especially regarding transition planning.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents should consider requesting separate meetings focused solely on transition planning to give it the attention it needs.
• 📋 Parents can invite individuals with specialized knowledge of their child, such as teachers or job coaches, to IEP meetings.
• 🌐 Additional resources for teens approaching adulthood are available on the DARS website to support transition planning.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video?

The video focuses on secondary transition planning for students with disabilities as they prepare for life after high school.

At what age must a student's IEP include post-secondary goals?

A student's IEP must include post-secondary goals when the student turns 14 years old.

What key elements should be included in the transition goals of an IEP?

Transition goals should relate to training, education, employment, and independent living skills, and they must be measurable.

Why is the IEP meeting at age 15 significant?

The IEP meeting at age 15 is significant because it must include a statement about which agencies will provide services after high school.

What are transition services, and why are they important?

Transition services are supports that help students meet their transition goals, including independent living skills and career-related classes. They are essential for ensuring a smooth transition to adulthood.

What role do parents play in transition planning?

Parents are crucial in transition planning and are encouraged to request separate meetings focused solely on transition to ensure it is adequately addressed.

How should students be involved in their transition planning?

Students must be invited to IEP meetings where transition planning is discussed, and their preferences and interests should be considered throughout the process.

What is the significance of having a representative from DARS involved in IEP meetings?

Having a representative from DARS involved can enhance the quality of the IEP transition plan as they understand the necessary interagency linkages and available services.

What kind of questions can parents ask to align with their child's goals?

Parents can engage in exercises to compare their expectations with their child's answers about future goals, ensuring they are on the same page regarding transition planning.

Where can parents and students find additional resources for transition planning?

Additional resources can be found on the Disability Law Center of Virginia (DLCV) website, which provides information for teens approaching adulthood.