Transition Planning and SelfDetermination for Students with Disabilities

Transition Planning and Self-Determination for Students with Disabilities Sped 461

What is transition? • Transition is concerned with a student moving from high school to adult life • Transition has been included in IDEA since the 1990 because the first students graduating from special education were experiencing inadequate post-school results. • Current IDEA requires that transition planning be a part of a student’s IEP beginning at age 16. However, in Illinois, the requirement is 14 ½.

Transition is…. . • Results-oriented • focus on measurable postsecondary goals that include postsecondary education, integrated employment, and full participation in the community • Student-centered • transition services must be based upon "student needs, taking into account student strengths, preferences, and interests. “ (IDEA 2004) • Transition planning should actively involve a student an his/her family • A coordinated effort • Linking schools and community agencies/support services

Transition Services The transition services listed in IDEA include: • instruction, • related services, • community experiences, • the development of employment and other postschool adult living objectives, and, • when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational assessment.

Transition Services • Transition services are highly individualized and what might work for one student may not be appropriate for another. • Transition services can be considered to be services and supports needed by a student with disabilities in order to make a successful transition from school to adult life. • Successful transition planning is a lifelong process in which the student, family members, friends, and professionals come together to develop and act upon a plan of action that will lead to a successful adult life. Taken from: Transition Coalition training module, http: //transitioncoalition. org/transition/module. php? module. Id=1&page. Id=234

What is self-determination? The attitudes, abilities, and skills that lead people to define goals for themselves and to take the initiative to reach these goals. - Ward, 1988 Acting as the primary casual agent in one’s life and making choices and decisions regarding one’s quality of life free from undue external influence or interference. -Wehmeyer, 1996

What are self-determination skills that I can teach my students? Choice-making Decision-making Problem-solving Goal-setting & attainment • Self-management • Independence, risktaking, safety • • • Self-advocacy • Leadership • Internal locus of control • Self-awareness • Self-knowledge • Self-efficacy

Take a minute… Quickwrite: Think about a time in your life when you used selfdetermination skills. Take a couple minutes to write about that experience. q What self-determination skill(s) did you use? q How did your use of these skills help you navigate the experience, situation, issue, goal?

How do I do it? • Infuse self-determination skills into academic content • Use a person-centered planning approach • Support students in actively participating in IEP development and meetings • Integrate self-determination skills into IEP goals that support postsecondary goals • Increase disability and ABILITY awareness in students, parents, teachers, and the community Awareness is not the same as emphasis - Virginia Department of Education

Resources • The Transition Coalition—great resource for all things related to transition. Has training modules, examples of assessments, and publications for educators and families. http: //transitioncoalition. org/ • UIC offers a LBS 2 certification program with an emphasis on transition. See concentration 2: http: //education. uic. edu/sped-med/degreerequirements. cfm