Feb 25, 2012 0
[1]
Maine 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 Maine Department of Education [5] website. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma [6] are. There are no mandatory exit exams in Maine.
- Meet with your child’s IEP team to discuss the Transition Plan. Visit the Wrightslaw [7] 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 Maine Bureau of Rehabilitative Services, Vocational Rehabilitation [8] division and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request. The VR Consumer Handbook [9] provides a downloadable guide for high school students and their parents.
- Contact the Maine Developmental Services [10] 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 [11] (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 [12].
- Read our articles on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Apply for Supplemental Security Income [13] (SSI). Even if your child receives SSI now, he will have to re-apply at age 18.
- Visit MaineCare Services and Benefits [14] and Review the MaineCare Eligibility Manual [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 Maine Bureau of Rehabilitative Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation [8].
- Step up working with the Maine Developmental Services [10].
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 Maine Resource Guide. [20]
- Refer to the Autism Speaks website for their Transition Toolkit [21].
- Visit the website of The Arc to find a Maine chapter [22] near you.