Prior to turning 18, individuals with special needs have gone to school, received an education and services tailored to their specific needs, been guided through IEPs, and utilized service providers and specialists who are committed to helping them succeed. As a parent, you and your child have had the benefit of an education infrastructure that has supported this process.
Graduation day comes and it’s a glorious time for all. It’s a day to celebrate and a day to look to the future. Then reality hits.
Routine ends. Structure terminates. Now what? It’s time to start transitioning to adulthood. You are your child’s most important advocate, and your role becomes that much more critical. The key factor here is to stay engaged and take advantage of the many wonderful programs and opportunities available to your child to lead a functional, productive, and happy life.
The challenge is sorting through what to do next and trying to ensure that you’re identifying programs that provide your child with a healthy balance of work, social, and recreational opportunities. Here are six of the things to consider when planning for your child’s post-high school life.
Post-high school life can be daunting yet filled with tremendous opportunities for individuals with disabilities. As your child’s advocate, don’t sit back. Stay involved, ask questions, take advantage of everything available to your child, and then watch your child flourish and grow into a productive, happy, and balanced adult.
