Jan 04, 2012 0
[1]
Arkansas Roadmap
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STOP 1
At Age 16
- Read our article on Transition [2].
- Read our articles on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Visit the Arkansas Department of Education [5] website. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma [6] are. To graduate with a regular diploma in Arkansas, students must pass exit exams [7].
- Meet with your child’s IEP team to discuss the Transition Plan. Visit the Wrightslaw [8] 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 Arkansas Department of Career Education [9] and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request. This agency provides Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Counselors [10] to work with high school students.
- Contact the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities [11]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 [12] (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 [13].
- Read our articles on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Apply for Supplemental Security Income [14] (SSI). Even if your child receives SSI now, he will have to re-apply at age 18.
- Contact Arkansas Medicaid [15] 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 [16] planning. Start considering and visiting programs.
- Read our article on Employment [17].
- Step up working with the Arkansas Department of Career Education [9].
- Step up working with the Arkansas Deparment of Human Service, Division of Developmental Disabilities [11].
STOP 4
At Age 21
- Read our Housing [18] article.
- Read our article on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Read our article on Employment [17].
- Refer to the Autism Speaks website for the Housing and Residential Supports Toolkit [19].
All Along the Way
- Visit the Autism Speak Arkansas Resource Guide [20].
- Refer to the Autism Speaks website for the Transition Toolkit [21].
- Visit the website of the Arc Arkansas [22].