Mar 04, 2012 0
[1]
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Department of Education [5] website. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma [6] are. Diploma requirements are set by each school district. Beginning with the class of 2015, students in Pennsylvania will have to take exit exams [7] to graduate.
- 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 Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation [9] and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request.
- Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare [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 the Pennsylvania Medical Assistance [14] (Medicaid) website 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 [15] planning. Start considering and visiting programs.
- Read our article on Employment [16].
- Step up working with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation [9].
- Step up working with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare [10].
STOP 4
At Age 21
- Read our Housing [17] article.
- Read our article on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Read our article on Employment [16].
- Refer to the Autism Speaks website for the Housing and Residential Supports Toolkit [18].
All Along the Way
- Visit the Autism Speaks Pennsylvania Resource Guide [19].
- Refer to the Autism Speaks website for their Transition Toolkit [20].
- Read the Pennsylvania and Delaware Autism Transition Handbook [21] and click on embedded icons for information specific to Pennsylvania.
- Visit the website of The Arc of Pennsylvania [22].
- Visit the website of the Autism Society [23] to find a Pennsylvania chapter near you.