How Can Parents Be Involved in Transition Planning?

Transition planning is an important part of the IEP process, so parents need to give even
more thought to the role they play in planning for their child's move from school into the
world of work and adult living.
 Here are some suggestions of avenues for parent involvement:
           •  Understand exactly what is meant by the term transition and how your school
               is addressing this need.
           •  Participate in and reinforce the transitional activities that your child is experi-
               encing in the classroom and in community-based training.
           •  Be sure that your child's IEP contains a sufficient number of transition-related
               objectives/ beginning in the elementary years and continuing through junior
              high and high school.
           •  Help your child to develop good work habits and behaviors and the self confi-
               dence needed to succeed on the job.
           •  Be sure the school is allocating enough time to the transitional needs of your
               child.
           •  Encourage local employers to consider providing training sites for students in
              vocational programs.
           •  Promote the hiring of individuals with disabilities by local businesses.
           •  Set an example yourself by hiring persons with disabilities in your business.
           •  Become well-versed in legislation and services that affect transition from high
              school.
           •  Volunteer time to work with your child's transition program.
           •  Join a parent support group that discusses transition issues.
           •  Promote an understanding of the need for students with disabilities to acquire
              functional and self help skills.
           •  Nurture and promote connections between your child and family members
              and your adult friends. Personal connections often provide the best means for
              young adults with disabilities to find work in the community.
           •  See transition planning as a family responsibility and work cooperatively and
              actively with school staff to make your child's transition a success.