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Transition
Transition is the legally-mandated process of preparing for independent living after schooling is complete.
When the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was reauthorized in 2004, it revised provisions regarding “secondary transition” for children with disabilities. In particular, the preamble specifies that a free appropriate public education (FAPE) should prepare children with disabilities “for further education, employment and independent living.” The revised provisions also change the definition of transition services and indicate that IEPs for transition-age youth must include:
- “Appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment and, where appropriate, independent living skills;
- The transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the child in reaching those goals.”
Massachusetts law requires transition planning to begin at age fourteen.
Transition services are defined as by federal law as “a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that:
- Is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of a child with a disability to facilitate the child’s movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation;
- Is based on the child’s needs, taking into account the child’s strengths, preferences, and interests; and includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school objectives, and, when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.”
Resources
Handout
Overview of legislation and helpful websites (2015)
General Resource Links:
Agency Links:
Department of Developmental Services – www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/department/dds
Department of Mental Health – www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/department/dmh
Mass Rehabilitation Commission – www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/department/mrc
Recreation & Camp Links:
SOAR in NC – http://soarnc.org/
The REC – https://www.recreationaleducationcenter.com/
Echo Enrichment Center – http://www.echoenrichment.com/
Pine Tree Camp in ME – https://www.pinetreesociety.org/children-and-families/pine-tree-camp/
Ascendigo in CO – https://ascendigo.org/
Special Needs Arts Programs – http://www.snaparts.org/
Dance Inn adaptive dance – http://www.thedanceinn.com/
Wellesley STARS Swim Team – http://www.wellesleystars.org/
Brooklyn Boulders Adaptive Climbing – http://www.adaptiveclimbinggroup.org/massachusetts
Gap Year Programs:
Franklin Academy in CT – https://fa-ct.org/
College Internship Program – https://cipworldwide.org/
Gersh Academy in NY – https://www.gershacademy.org/
Social Skills Groups:
Advances in Watertown – http://advancesonline.com/
Ely Center – https://elycenter.com/
ASPIRE – http://www.massgeneral.org/children/aspire/overview.aspx
Social Thinking Boston – http://socialthinkingboston.com/
Housing Resources:
Toward Independent Living & Learning – http://www.tillinc.org/index.html
Autism Housing Pathways – http://autismhousingpathways.org/
LexSEPAC Transition Activities:
LexSEPAC Transition Subcommittee’s 2012 report on transition and overview presentation on the report.
LexSEPAC has a private discussion group on Google for parents to discuss issues related to transition and share resources. To request access, send an email to transition@lexsepta.org.
Transition Specialist Info:
Transition Coordinator
Lexington Public Schools
mlaw@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us
781-861-2320 ext. 69264
Other Links: