You’re so proud your child is in high school and keeps progressing! Thanks to all you’ve done in cooperation with schools’ staff and the valuable services she has received. Now, what’s next?
- Planning should start at least two years prior to graduating high school.
- Continue setting goals and objectives by involving your child in the plan.
- Your child knows by now what she would like to do and what not to do.
- Help her narrow down the choices, so you can all focus on the main goal.
- Be your child’s advocate, convince the IEP team to always include your child in designing and developing her future plan!
- Your child is highly encouraged to attend the IEP meeting and participate in creating a plan for her own future.
- Teach your child to become her own self-advocate.
- The new IEP will then emerge as a Transition Plan (TP).
- A Transition Plan should consider all the strengths, interests, vocations, passions, and preferences of your child.
- By getting her involved in drafting the TP, she’ll feel more responsible and proactive.
- Request the services and personnel you believe are pivotal to implement the plan.
- Help your child work on a hands-on project/ job toward achieving the goals set in the TP.
You have enough time during high school to encourage your child express and practice her passions. High school is a great opportunity to help her raise her self awareness and discover all her qualities.
Tip 1
Regardless of what your child’s plan is, make sure to get her granted all the services and benefits she’ll need before leaving high school.
Tip 2
From a very early age train your child to volunteer or work on jobs, no matter how simple they are. The value of having a job is to establish some very important ethics like having discipline, respecting a schedule, working with a team, and taking responsibility.
Here is a great resource to help you explore with your child all the options available that match her interests and capabilities.
Employment of adults with autism
nadia shanab