Nevada Roadmap

STOP 1

At Age 16

• Read our article on Transition.
• Read our articles on Finances, Public and Private.
• Visit Nevada's Department of Education website. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma are. In Nebraska, graduation requirements are set at the local level. To graduate with a regular diploma in Nevada, students must pass exit exams.
• 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 child’s IEP team leader to contact the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Division and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request. Visit the Rehabilitation Division, Transition Services page to get information specifically for high school students.
• Contact the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disability Services Division 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 Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Healthcare Financing and Policy to find out if your child will qualify for Medicaid upon turning 18 and if so, begin application process. Download the Medicaid and Nevada Checkup Fact Book.

STOP 3

One Year Before High School Graduation

• Read our article on Postsecondary planning. Start considering and visiting programs.
• Read our article on Employment.
• Step up working with the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
• Step up working with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and  Disability Services Division.

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 Nevada Resource Guide.
• Refer to the Autism Speaks website for the Transition Toolkit.
• Visit the website of the Autism Society of America and search for Nevada resources.
• Visit the website of The Arc to learn about a new Nevada chapter.