Age 18+  High School to College or Employment

Education

• Student participates in the IEP.
• Student transition from school to adult services should be finished.
• If going to college, find out about accommodations and housing for people with disabilities.
• Finish public school, special education services.  Get summary of your performance to help you meet your post-secondary goals.
• Document steps taken to ensure student's preferences, strengths and interests are considered even if they are not at the IEP meeting.
• Parent should be given annual notices from IDEA.

Health

• Teach young adults how to transfer medications to local pharmacy if going to college.
• Discuss health insurance and deductibles.
• Make sure young adult knows how to interact with doctors and staff and understands what an emergency is and what to do if one occurs.
• Ensure young adults take responsibility for healthcare insurance.
• Enroll in adult long-term care if necessary.
• Check to ensure that young adult can stay on parent's health insurance until 26 if needed.

Parent/Caregiver and Young Adult Interaction

• Research college options.
• Act as a resource for your young adult by encouraging independence.
• Prepare wills or trusts to plan for future.
• Look into alternative living such as section 8 housing or group homes.
• Consider how youth will make BIG decisions when they turn 18 and arrange for assistance if necessary.
• Research supported decision making to determine if this may be an option for your young adult.
• Help young person develop and use self-determination and self-advocacy skills.
• Look for movies, YouTube videos, books, etc., that show people with disabilities making a living on their own.

Services

• Discuss possible supports/services that may be needed from outside agencies and how funding sources could benefit student such as SSI, Medicaid, DVR, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS), etc.
• Identify and apply for services provided by adult agencies.
• Initiate eligibility process for adult services in state.
• Be persistent when accessing services.
• Complete DDDS application, if applicable.
• Apply for Section 8 housing if desired.
• Establish connection with DART Paratransit or public transportation if needed.