Transition services are decided on after your child’s post-secondary goals have been identified. The services must be aimed at helping your child reach theirgoals. Transition services may include instruction (being taught), related services (like speech or occupational therapy), community experiences, and/or development of employment and other post-school objectives, including if appropriate, independent living.
All of the services and activities should form a coordinated plan for the transition from school to post-school life. This means that services in the plan need to be linked together in a way that makes sense. Also, the plan needs to include and list all of the individuals and organizations responsible for planning and carrying out activities in the plan. Everyone needs to take responsibility for their part and for the desired outcomes.
Let’s go back to Alex, Paulo, and Keisha. What transition services may be helpful to them? Here are a few examples.
Service: Alex will visit Kings College at least 3 times to become familiar with the campus and identify any physical or programmatic barriers that may need to be addressed. For example, Alex may need to work with the school to make sure his classes will be on the first floor of the building if there is no elevator.
When: During the 2021-2022 school year
Who is involved: Alex, his guidance counselor, the transition coordinator, and possibly his VR counselor
Service: Paulo will apply for vocational rehabilitation services and if found eligible will develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) that with in coordination with his IEP, supports his goal of working in a grocery store.
When: During the 2021-2022 school year
Who is involved: Paulo, his parents, the VR agency, his special education case manager, and his teacher(s)
Service: Keisha will practice caring for her hearing aid independently and make her own appointments with her audiologist to ensure that the hearing aids are in good shape.
When: Starting in the 2021-21 school year and ongoing
Who is involved: Keisha and her parents with support from the school audiologist as needed.