Feb 24, 2012 0
[1]
Alaska Roadmap
iStockphoto
STOP 1
At Age 16
- Read our article on Transition [2].
- Read our articles on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Visit the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development [5]. website. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma [6] are. In Alaska, this can vary based on school district. To graduate with a regular diploma in Alaska, 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 child’s IEP team leader to contact the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Vocational Rehabilitation [9] division and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request. The website [10] provides a downloadable video for high school students and their parents.
- Contact the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Senior and Disability Services Division [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 the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Health Care Services Division [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 Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Vocational Rehabilitation [9]division.
- Step up working with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Senior and Disabilties Services [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 Speaks Alaska Resource Guide [20].
- Refer to the Autism Speaks website for the Transition Toolkit [21].
- Visit the website of the Arc of Anchorage [22].
- Visit the website of the [23]Alaska Autism Resource Center [23].