Transition Planning for Special Education

Introduction

I’m excited to introduce this week’s guest blogger: Heather from A Love For Special Learning to talk all about transition planning for your special education students!

Heather is a full time special education teacher. She is also a transition facilitator at a transition program in Illinois. On her free time, she is a part time TeachersPayTeachers author and blogger on her website. 

She has been a special education teacher for 14 years. Heather has a 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.  

How to Prepare Families for Life After Transition Planning: Three Tips for Teachers

As a special education transition teacher for the past 8 years, I have seen families who are ready to talk about transition planning with confidence and knowledge. On the other hand, I have seen those who feel so overwhelmed that they aren’t sure what questions to ask or where to start.  Given those two sets of feelings, I know that every family would prefer NOT to be the latter.  

In Illinois, where I teach, students can receive special education services until the day before their 22nd birthday.  The conversation about what the future (or ‘real life’ as they say) will look like can not start early enough (yeah, I’m looking at you elementary teachers). 

Families and individuals who are mentally ready to discuss what day programming, housing, transportation, and finances they need and want didn’t slip into that headspace overnight.  They have been thinking about it for years and transition planning is the time to refine and perfect the plan (ahem, not create it).  There are many steps that need to be taken for transition planning.

What are the steps in transition plan?

What are the steps in transition plan? As special education teachers, we have the obligation to have conversations about the future starting at age 14 1/2.  Transition planning can seem like another added stressor to the IEP writing process, but it is a valuable tool (and may be the most valuable part of the paperwork) for many students and families.  

Elementary/Middle/High School/Transition Special Education Teachers- You can be part of the conversation about the future long before the student exits!  

Here are 3 ways YOU can help families prepare for the day the bus stops coming:

Have an Open and Honest Conversation with Families About Transition Planning

First, consider having informal meetings with families and the students. These are used to discuss what they want and need to be ready for when they exit. 

After the conversation, identify one thing the family can do to inch closer to their goal and then set a follow-up date to check on the progress.  When the ‘goal’ is achieved, celebrate it!  You are helping the student and family be ready for the inevitable, what could be more exciting than that?

As the student ages and creeps closer and closer to exit, hold a transition meeting every year.  A lot can change and evolve in 365 days (as we all know 2020).

Articulate the Ideal Vision of Transition Planning

Next, this plays on the quote, ‘If you build it, they will come’ idea.  Ask parents and the individual to describe their ideal life post exit.  Using the conversation guide, carve it all out- housing, transportation, volunteer/job positions, recreational activities, etc.

You don’t need to decide on whether it is possible or not. You just need to get the families and the student thinking about what they really want and need to live a happy and healthy life. In my experience, ‘happy and healthy’ are the top two priorities for many parents/guardians/ family members. We know this can look different for every person.  

Know Enough to Connect (Not to Advise)

Finally, SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Guardianship, Power of Attorney, Supported Decision Making, public transportation, respite providers, programming selection, and housing have lots of jargon and specific details and it can be tough (or near impossible) to know everything.  It’s best to not expect yourself to be the expert, just the connector.  This is great for transition planning.

Have the name, email, and phone number of someone who could answer the family’s questions. Help them to add that contact information to their phone or email contacts.  

Connect the family directly with your district or local Transition Coordinator.  This person will know the contact information of local agencies and service providers the family is seeking. 

Conclusion

Don’t be afraid to be honest when you don’t know the answer to a question. Be willing to find someone who could answer it for them.  Then, take the initiative to set up the phone meeting or send the introductory email to start transition planning.

Three ways to get the transition planning ball rolling for your students and their families.  Please, don’t feel pressured to implement all three tips simultaneously, start with one.  Master that, then move to the 2nd and then 3rd.  Any and all support you are able to give your families and students will be appreciated, regardless of grade level.  

Read more about transition planning!