Please note that the Palo Alto CAC does not recommend or endorse any particular organisation or program, but includes this information for the benefit of families with special needs kids.
Transition Services: Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team, and updated annually, thereafter.
Click here for more information on post secondary education (colleges, universities).
Click here for more information on the IEP.
Clik here for more information on Highschool requirements and modification versus accommodation.
Timeline
A general timeline for transition and actions needed in California by Autism Speaks.
PHP Presentation on Transition to Adulthood
Presentation with tips and general information on transition.
Transition Planning: The Basics
Federal and State Mandated and guidelines with corresponding research-based best practices, gives the whole roadmap with examples of goals and resources. By California Transition Alliance.
Directory of Transition Websites
This directory was composed by students in Dr. Lynda West’s Special Education Course: 6236, Introduction to Career, Vocational and Transition Services, The George Washington University, Graduate School of Education & Human Development. The directory is posted on the website of the HEATH Resource Center , an online clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities.
Transition to Adult Living Information and Resource Guide
Published in 2008 by the California department of Education; some information is not up to date anymore but some is still very useful and it gives a good overview on transition out of secondary education.
The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth)
Assists state and local workforce development systems to better serve all youth, including youth with disabilities and other disconnected youth. All kinds of information an advice on transitioning from high school.
Transition to Adulthood
General information on Transition to Adulthood by the Center for Parent Information and Resources.
Transition Undefined
Interesting Article on transition (for students with ASD, but still interesting for others as well) by Julie van der Poel. A high level idea of what the possibilities are and how to go about them.
Independent Living
Resources and general information on Independent Living by the Center for Parent Information and Resources.
Navigating the post school transition
A road map to transition by Youth on the Move ( University of Massachusetts Boston)
Guide for Transition from High School for Children with Special Needs by Abilitypath.org
This guide examines the laws that impacts a child with special needs, the importance of the individualized education plan, and the different paths a child with special needs can take after graduating from high school. For a free downloads click here
Transition Tool Kit by Autism Speaks
In the guide options are provided to think about and explore as you and your adolescent with autism begin to plan for adulthood. The guide is primarily written for individuals with autism, regardless of the level of support needed, and emphasis the development of self-help and self-advocacy skills. The guide can be downloaded for free.
Publication of the OCR and US Department of Education with short Q and A list about rights in Post-secondary Education.
WorkAbility I
WorkAbility I (WAI) has as mission to promote the involvement of key stakeholders including students, families, educators, employers and other agencies in planning and implementing an array of services that will culminate in successful student transition to employment, lifelong living and quality of life. WorkAbility Central was created to act as a resource library and collabration tool for WorkAbility I members.
National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC)
All kinds of information about transitioning out of secondary education.
The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET)
The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.
The National Alliance for Secondary Education and Transition (NASET)
The National Alliance for Secondary Education and Transition (NASET) is a national voluntary coalition of more than 40 organizations and advocacy groups representing special education, general education, career and technical education, youth development, multicultural perspectives, and parents.
Transition Coalition
Provides online information, support on topics related to the transition from school to adult life for youth with disabilities. Primarily in Missouri, but some models are interesting for California.
Pacer’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment page on Self determination
Self determination is believing you can control your own destiny. Self-determination is a combination of attitudes and abilities that lead people to set goals for themselves, and to take the initiative to reach these goals. It is about being in charge, but is not necessarily the same thing as self-sufficiency or independence.
Employment & Community Options
Employment & Community Options educates and empowers low-income adults with intellectual disabilities with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve their personal goals and optimum potential in life.
Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC)
Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) is a non-profit, non-residential organization which serves all people with all types of disabilities in Santa Clara County with support tools and resources needed to live interdependently, and advocates for policies that ensure equal access and opportunity for all. SVILC is a community-member driven nonprofit organization run by and for people with disabilities.
Housing Choices
Housing Choices helps with quality and affordable housing for people with intellectual disabilities.
NBC Timeline “On the Brink”
Parents of children with autism compare it to falling off a cliff. “The picture is nothingness,” says one mom profiled in the hour-long segment. On the Brink,” a powerful new report, three years in the making, that puts a spotlight on autism’s ‘aging out’ crisis. Over the next ten years, an estimated half a million young people with autism will turn 21 and ‘age out’ — losing their eligibility for help through the education system. In California we know we have 76,000 cases of severe autism, only about 14,000 of which are currently over the age of 21. Every year, about 2,000 more age out of school.