Feb 27, 2012 0
[1]
North Carolina 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 North Carolina Department of Education [5] website. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma [6] are. Students in North Carolina do not have to pass exit exams to graduate.
- 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 North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation [8] and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request.
- Contact the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services [9], 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 [10] (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 [11].
- Read our articles on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Apply for Supplemental Security Income [12] (SSI). Even if your child receives SSI now, he will have to re-apply at age 18.
- Visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance [13] 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 [14] planning. Start considering and visiting programs.
- Read our article on Employment [15].
- Step up working with the North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation [8].
- Step up working with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services [9].
STOP 4
At Age 21
- Read our Housing [16] article.
- Read our article on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Read our article on Employment [15].
- Refer to the Autism Speaks website for the Housing and Residential Supports Toolkit [17].
All Along the Way
- Visit the Autism Speaks North Carolina Resource Guide [18].
- Refer to the Autism Speaks website for their Transition Toolkit [19].
- Visit the website of the Arc of North Carolina [20].
- Visit the website of the Autism Society of North Carolina [21].