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Transition planning

Transition planning is an important process by which parents, caregivers, educators, students (when age appropriate) and other interested parties plan for the future of an individual with disabilities. The goal of transition planning is ensuring that individuals successfully "cross over" important stages of their lives. The following resources are designed to assist with various transitions, such as from the early childhood intervention program to preschool programs and from high school to postsecondary options, such as college, work and independent living.    

Resources

• Transition in Texas, a project of Education Service Center Region XI, provides transition-related resources for teachers, parents and students receiving special education services. 
• Autism Speaks offers a Transition Toolkit to assist families on the journey from adolescence to adulthood.
• The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services has published "Beyond Early Childhood Intervention" (PDF format), a guide for transitioning children out of the early intervention program.   
• The PACER Center's "Early Childhood Transition Guidebook" (PDF format) is designed to assist parents in planning toward their child's third birthday.
• The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition provides a variety of resources, including answers to frequently asked questions, on its IEP and Transition Planning website.
• Transition in Texas, a project of Education Service Center XI, offers a presentation titled "Parents and the Transition Process" (PDF format).
• The PACER Center has published "Parent Tips for Transition Planning" (PDF format), which was developed by the Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers.
• The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities provides information on transitioning to adulthood.
• Thinkcollege.net provides transition planning resources related to preparing for postsecondary education.
• Texas Tech University’s Burkhart Transition Academy provides a postsecondary educational strength-based assessment to aid in the transition of people with autism spectrum disorder into postsecondary higher education, vocational training or other settings.
• Monarch Transitional Services, part of the Monarch Institute for Neurological Differences, guide students toward increased capacity for employment, education and life outside their family home by bridging the gap between school and adult life.
• The National Center on Learning Disabilities offers information on transitions to college and work.
• The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, has published "Transition of Students With Disabilities To Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators."
• "Life Journey Through Autism: A Guide for Transition to Adulthood" (PDF format) is a joint project of Danya International, Inc., the Organization for Autism Research, and the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center.
• The Virginia Department of Education offers "Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Transition to Adulthood" (PDF format).
• "Transition Matters: Yikes! Consider Life Without School! Planning Now for a Good Life for Your Child With a Disability," by Rosemary Alexander, is a mother's perspective on the importance of transition planning for young people with special needs.
• The TEACCH Autism Program, from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, sells the TEACCH Transition Assessment Profile (TTAP)-Second Edition tool for assessing a person's needs for a successful transition.
• The American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities sells the Supports Intensity Scale, an assessment tool that evaluates the practical support requirements of a person with an intellectual disability.

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Updated: April 18, 2013