Family’s Role in TransitionEducational

In Massachusetts, transition begins at age 14 and continues until a student leaves the school system for the adult world. It is an ongoing process.

The role of the family in the transition process is essential. Parents and guardians are the providers of information to schools and agencies; they know their children better than anyone else. Parents play a major role on the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team in helping to develop a vision for their child’s future. They help to develop post-secondary goals and objectives that will enable their children to become as independent as possible before leaving school. They teach, model and guide their children to adulthood, and assist them in becoming part of their communities.

The suggestions below fall into three different environments: educational, home, and community. The purpose is to enable families to understand the scope of transition.

Educational

» Transition begins at age 14. Participate in creating the Transition Planning Form with the school.

» Develop a partnership with the school system, and actively participate on the IEP team.

» Help your child develop advocacy skills to participate in his/her IEP.

» Become familiar with federal and state laws about transition.

» Schedule interest inventories and vocational assessments.

» Identify IEP goals that will capture interests, vocational opportunities, post-secondary education, and independent living skills across settings.

» Understand the Chapter 688 process and eligibility for adult service agencies.

» Make sure your child has volunteer experience, internships, and real work experience.

» Maximize independence by fading supports.

Home

» Learn about person-centered planning.

» Focus on self-determination skills: choice making, decision making, problem solving, goal setting, self- management.

» Encourage independence in all areas of life, including self-care activities, money management, and travel in the community.

» Talk about the value of work, and teach behaviors that develop employment potential.

» Assist in good grooming skills, and emphasize the importance of physical activity.

» Help children think about and envision their future.

» Assist your child in understanding his/her disability and medical needs.

» Investigate requirements for SSI, MassHealth, and other government benefits.

» Plan for future needs and assets, including personal finances, wills, and trusts.

Community

» Share your vision for your child’s future.

» Network with other families, community groups, and advocacy groups.

» Attend transition-related workshops, fairs, and conferences.

» Provide opportunities for your children to see people at work in different settings.

» Identify the human service and provider agencies and understand the work that they do.

» Encourage relationships and nurture friendships.

» Use Family Support Centers and understand the work that they do.

» Explore volunteering and connections to community activities.