Feb 01, 2012 0
[1]
Georgia Roadmap
iStockphoto
STOP 1
At Age 16
- Read our article on Transition [2].
- Read our articles on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Visit Georgia’s 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 Georgia, students must pass exit exams [7]. Learn about Georgia’s Graduation Test Waivers and Variances [8].
- Review the Georgia Department of Education’s Transition Manual [9]. In particular, the Family Resources [10] and Transition Planning [11] sections of this manual.
- Meet with your child’s IEP team to discuss the Transition Plan.
- Visit the Wrightslaw [12] 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 Georgia Department of Labor Rehabilitation Services [13] and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request.
- Contact the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities [14] to learn more about adult supports.
- Contact the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities [15]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 [16] (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 [17].
- Read our articles on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Apply for Supplemental Security Income [18] (SSI). Even if your child receives SSI now, he will have to re-apply at age 18.
- Contact the Georgia Department of Community Health [19] 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 [20] planning. Start considering and visiting programs.
- Read Post-Secondary School Opportunities [21] by the Georgia Department of Education.
- Read our article on Employment [22].
- Step up working with the Georgia Department of Labor Rehabilitation Services [13].
- Step up working with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. [15]
STOP 4
At Age 21
- Read our Housing [23] article.
- Read our article on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Read our article on Employment [22].
- Refer to the Autism Speaks website for their Housing and Residential Supports Toolkit [24].
All Along the Way
- Visit the Autism Speaks Georgia Resource Guide [25].
- Refer to the Autism Speaks website for their Transition Toolkit [26].
- Visit the website of the Autism Society of Georgia [27].
- Visit the website of the Arc of Georgia [28].