Turning 18 Checklist

  • When your student turns 18 they will be a legal adult. He or she will be responsible for their own decisions unless they have a legal guardian.

    There are many areas to take into consideration when planning for adulthood:

    • Post-Secondary/Continuing education
    • Employment
    • Legal/Advocacy
    • Personal independence/Living Arrangements/Housing
    • Recreation/leisure
    • Medical/health
    • Financial/Income
    • Transportation/Independent Travel Skills

    Transition Checklist

    The following is a checklist of transition activities that you may wish to consider when preparing transition plans with the IEP Team.

    Four to Five Years Before Leaving the School District

    • Identify personal learning styles and necessary accommodations to be a successful learner and worker.
    • Identify career interests and skills, complete interest and career inventories, and identify additional education or training requirements.
    • Explore options for secondary education and admissions criteria.
    • Identify interests and options for future living arrangements, including supports.
    • Learn to communicate effectively your interests, preferences, and needs.
    • Be able to explain your disability and the accommodations you need.
    • Learn and practice informed decision making skills.
    • Investigate assistive technology tools that can increase community involvement and employment opportunities.
    • Broaden your experiences with community activities and expand your friendships.
    • Pursue and use local transportation options outside of family.
    • Investigate money management and identify necessary skills.
    • Aquire identification card and the ability to communicate personal information.
    • Identify and begin learning skills necessary for independent living.
    • Learn and practice personal health care.

    Two to Three Years Before Leaving the School District

    • Identify community support services and programs (Vocational Rehabilitation, County Services, Centers for Independent Living, etc.).
    • Invite adult service providers, peers, and others to the IEP transition meeting.
    • Match career interests and skills with vocational course work and community work experiences.
    • Gather more information on post-secondary programs and the support services offered; and make arrangements for accomodations to take college entrance exams.
    • Identify health care providers and become informed about sexuality and family planning issues.
    • Determine the need for financial support (Supplemental Security Income, state financial supplemental programs, Medicare).
    • Learn and practice appropriate interpersonal, communication, and social skills for different settings (employment, school, recreation, with peers, etc.).
    • Explore legal status with regards to decision making prior to age of 18.
    • Begin a resume and update it as needed.
    • Practice independent living skills, e.g., budgeting, shopping, cooking, and housekeeping.
    • Identify needed personal assistance services, and if appropriate, learn to direct and manage these services.

    One Year Before Leaving the School District

    • Apply for financial support programs. (Supplemental Security Income, Independent Living Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Personal Assistant Services).
    • Identify the post-secondary school you plan to attend and arrange for accomodations.
    • Practice effective communication by developing interview skills, asking for help, and identifying necessary accomodations at post-secondary and work environments.
    • Specify desired job and obtain paid employment with supports as needed.
    • Take responsibility for arriving on time to work, appointments, and social activities.
    • Assume responsibility for health care needs (making appointments, filling and making prescriptions, etc.).
    • Register to vote and register for selective service (if male).