Wisconsin Roadmap

STOP 1

At Age 16

• Read our article on Transition.
• Read our articles on Finances, Public and Private.
• Visit the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction website. Pay special attention to the Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities page, and download the Transition Action Guide from this page. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma are. In Wisconsin, students are not required to take an exit exam.
• Meet with your child’s IEP team to discuss the Transition Plan. Visit the Wrightslaw website to get a better understanding of your child’s rights at Transition.
• Ask the school’s Transition Services Coordinator or your chlid’s IEP team leader to contact the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and request that a Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) staff member attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request.  
• Review the publication Opening Doors: A Guide to Adult Services and contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Health Services, Developmental Disabilities Programs to find out what supports may be available for your child, at what age your child may apply for services, and how long the waiting list is for those services.
• Visit the website of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) if you wish to hire someone to help you advocate with your school system.

STOP 2

At Age 17

• Read our article on Guardianship.
• Read our articles on Finances, Public and Private.
• Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Even if your child receives SSI now, he will have to re-apply at age 18.
• Contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services ForwardHealth Medicaid offices to find out if your child will qualify for Medicaid upon turning 18 and if so, begin application process.

STOP 3

One Year Before High School Graduation

• Read our article on Postsecondary planning. Start considering and visiting programs.
• Read our article on Employment.
• Review the publications Opening Doors to Employment: Planning for Life After School and Opening Doors to Postsecondary Education and Training and Opening Doors: A Guide to Adult Services. 
• Step up working with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
• Step up working with the Wisconsin Department of Health Health Services, Developmental Disabilities Programs.

 STOP 4

At Age 21

• Read our Housing article.
• Read our article on Finances, Public and Private.
• Read our article on Employment.
• Refer to the Autism Speaks website for the Housing and Residential Supports Toolkit.
  

All Along the Way

• Visit the Autism Speaks Wisconsin Resource Guide.
• Refer to the Autism Speaks website for their Transition Toolkit.
• Visit the website of The Arc to find a Wisconsin chapter near you.