My son with autism and intellectual disability transitioned into an adult day program that involved some volunteer work, some recreation, some classes (like cooking and exercise). At age 25 he moved into a group home.

Hi OP -

-I am the parent who posted the Things to Consider for a Teen with Special Needs Before Age 18 in answer to a question from a parent a couple of years ago, and I guess it was posted for all.

- I have actually expanded my focus as I have compiled documents on several topics related to Transition for an annual Transition Fair in our area here for the last three years. I have revised the key documents each year so that now I have an "Overview of Transition" with notations from spanning from Birth On taking into account a wide array of disabilities and future outcomes. There is a detailed section on At Age 18. I can share it if you like.

- I think it is important to realize that just because someone gets a high school diploma and even into college, it is not necessarily a perfect ending. I believe 50% of all admitted college students do not complete their initial program within five years. Also, for many young adults, it is often during the college years that mental health issues first arise and must be confronted.

- I first looked at Transition Outcomes in our community when our youngest daughter who has an intellectual disability was 5 years old as our older daughter was heading to middle school along with a second daughter in between, and I knew both were top performers and headed onto college. Our youngest daughter was a challenge because back then, she was the first with her disability to demonstrate that a student could learn to read; while two years ago a teen with her same disability was able to obtain a standard diploma. Doing the research on outcomes enabled us to make some decisions about her educational programming as the key for her was to look at all the domains - not just the academic - to have her prepared for the world of work.

She stayed through age 21 and completed an excellent Post High program with a vocational focus. She now just completed her 14 year in her job in a college dining room for the season, volunteers weekly year-round at the Senior Center using her reading skills as well as other more basic skills. She does reside with us at this time, but she keeps her own calendar, takes a para-transit bus to work, has an active social life with peers, and we can come an go as we please. The one difference is that we would not leave her overnight as she does not cook on the stove. She in lifestyle skills overall is like a young teenager who knows and follows the rules and regs.

For her we have used all appropriate government resources, but funding for what is called a Medicaid Waiver for support staff to give her the chance to live more independently is unlikely to come in our lifetime as it is based on "level of criticality," which se do not have; nor do we seek to have. Therefore, we are doing a lot of legal and financial future planning with her needs in mind because as much support we can provide for her, we will be serving our other two daughters who are in the DMV in the best way.

- So OP I think if you talk to your son or daughter about what he/she would like to be doing, look critically at where one is in terms of the skills and support needs to reach certain goals, and then see what might be provided by MOCO up through age 21 AND look at area adult public and private services, I think you will find some answers and resources.

Private Resources might include:
a- One resource I suggest looking at I the MOST program which is a one-year, very tailored transition program of the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes.

b- I believe that there may be some services out of Montgomery Community College, but not sure.

c- There is at least one other program for young adults with a certain level of independence. that I have read about over the years perhaps in the Rockville area???

Government Resources
a- Consider getting your DS or DD connected to Active Case Management which will provide your adult child with a professional other than Mom and Dad, who can help one learn about and navigate the adult services syste.

b- Get an understanding of the interplay of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid Health Insurance, Medicaid Waivers (Long-Term Funding Streams) and/or possibly Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised no one from this board is responding. Everyone's special needs child is on the diploma track?

On this board, special needs is overwhelmingly ADHD and high functioning autism.

Also, much younger.

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised no one from this board is responding. Everyone's special needs child is on the diploma track?

My DS is, but not sure he's college-bound if that's what you mean?

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised no one from this board is responding. Everyone's special needs child is on the diploma track?

Maybe they are not on this board and find some other message board meets their needs more. You do know SN covers a broad range of kids. Based on some the derogatory things said on DCUM about kids below a certain level, perhaps some people went elsewhere to find a more inclusive group.

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised no one from this board is responding. Everyone's special needs child is on the diploma track?

By law, school districts can only take a child off the diploma track if they meet certain criteria. Generally that is less than 2% of the population. The large majority of students with IEPs are on diploma track.

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised no one from this board is responding. Everyone's special needs child is on the diploma track?

On this board, special needs is overwhelmingly ADHD and high functioning autism.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to get on the MC Trans list on Yahoo groups

What is that? I didn't know there still were yahoo groups!

Are you in Montgomery County? I should have asked first. Also google groups suck. I'm on plenty of yahoo groups.

A friend got her child into a program at a rehab and training facility in the Staunton VA area. They do evaluations and get person into a job training program such as healthcare, or construction. Also, look into your state’s job training and vocational apprenticeship programs.

I am surprised no one from this board is responding. Everyone's special needs child is on the diploma track?

We had a neighbor years ago who's child with intellectual disability did not get a standard diploma. She lived at home for a while and then ended up living in a group home they were pleased with. She had a job she enjoyed at PETCO I think. She loved animals and at least when I chatted with her about she seemed a lot more enthusiastic about her job than the rest of the young adults I knew. I don't know the details though like how many hours, training, supervision, responsibilities. I think they also had her involved doing volunteer work with a pet rescue and while she lived with them they fostered animals. Honestly if we had a pet at the time I would have hired her any time we went out of town.

I feel like we are getting a lot of resources from my sons case manager. We are in MCPS but are a year or so from figuring this out.

I have a friend who got his son into landscaping and that was successful.

Anonymous wrote:You need to get on the MC Trans list on Yahoo groups

What is that? I didn't know there still were yahoo groups!

You need to get on the MC Trans list on Yahoo groups

We are trying to figure out what life after high school looks like. What's working for you, or what are your plans?