How to Prepare Middle School Families for Transition

I’m excited to introduce this week’s guest blogger, Heather, to talk all about middle school transition planning. She is a full time special education teacher and transition facilitator at a transition program in Illinois and a part time TeachersPayTeachers author and blogger on her website aloveforspeciallearning.com and professional development creator. 

She has been a special education teacher for 15 years and has Bachelor’s degrees in Elementary education and Special education, and Master’s degrees in Special Education (multiple disabilities and assistive technology) and Assistive Technology.  

You can follow her on Instagram and on her website aloveforspeciallearning.com.  

While families with middle school age students might think that transition is too far in the future to think about, there are actually three things they can do now to help set-up their student for future success.

If you teach middle school, then encourage families to begin preparing for transition, even if it feels so far away.  Trust me when I say, they will be thankful then for what they did now.  

Three Ways Families Can Prepare for Transition While in Middle School

1. Get On the State Medicaid Waiver Waitlist

If the student has an intellectual or developmental disability, then they would likely qualify for Medicaid Waiver services once they turn 18 years old, if not earlier.  Since we know they are not yet 18 years old, getting on the waitlist NOW helps the family to check one more thing off their to-do list when their student officially becomes an adult.  

Sadly, the majority of states have a waitlist so lengthy that individuals wait years, yes- YEARS, to receive the waiver.  Therefore, getting on the waitlist can help them to start the waiting game before age 18.  

Some states may use the wait list to predict future budgetary needs.  There may also be different types of waivers available, so understanding the student’s options before they turn 18 years old will allow them to make an informed decision once the waiver becomes available to them.

What is a Medicaid Waiver?  Each state has their own and they all go by a different name.  However, waivers typically support individuals in meeting their in-home or community and vocational needs by providing monthly funding to cover programming, services (i.e. transportation, therapy), and supports (i.e. respite).  

2. Set-Up a Special Needs Trust or ABLE Account

For students with a qualifying disability*, they can pursue SSI funding once they turn 18 years old.  Since their birthday is still years away, NOW is the time to move any funds over $2,000 into an SSI-safe account.  At the time of this blog post, the current maximum that an individual can have in their name is $2,000 (per federal law).  If the individual has a qualifying disability and more than $2,000 in their name, they will be denied SSI.

ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts are the two places families can safely move money and assets into so the individual can be approved for SSI monthly payments once they turn 18 years old.  Move money from checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, etc into an ABLE account or Special Need trust BEFORE the student turns 18 so as not to negatively impact their SSI application.  

An ABLE Account is set-up online and a Special Needs Trust should be drafted by a lawyer.

*Intellectual and developmental disabilities are qualifying disabilities, as well as blindness and other health and physical disabilities, among others.  See the SSA POMS manual for the full list. 

3. Facilitate Conversations About the Future to Help Build the Vision

When families are asked what they see for their student in the future and they don’t even know what is possible, they can feel intimidated.  Use this precious time in middle school to help families begin to understand what options are available to them.  

Let me preface this by saying that you don’t need to know everything that would be available to their student post exit.  The simple act of helping them to even know what they should consider is a step in the right direction.  

Families should be encouraged to begin thinking about their student’s adult life. They should be supported in attending presentations on topics they need to know more about.  It’s so important for families to begin learning about options as early as they can. The information can be so dense and detailed. Most won’t fully understand everything their first time learning about it.  

Encourage families to learn more about:

• Public transportation options
• Local recreational programming
• Adult day services
• Local therapies and how their insurance may or may not cover the cost
• Housing options
• Vocational supports
• College experience programs
• College-level accommodations, for those seeking credit toward a degree
• Respite services and providers

Use the 3 suggestions above, but don’t feel the need to address all three with every family you work with.  Get a sense of what the family is ready to handle and go from there.  Even one of the ideas plants a seed that could push families to learn more when their student is in high school.  

Remember, middle school goes by in a flash!  Helping families to use this time to begin preparing for transition will get them on the right path for high school.  

If you’re looking to read more about transition planning, read more here!

Instagram | TeachersPayTeachers | Facebook | Boom Learning Library | Pinterest  |Youtube