Parents spend considerable time anticipating their child’s successful transition into adulthood. Preparing kids to be grown-ups often begins when children are in middle school and involves volunteer work, first jobs, college campus visits and plenty of talk about interests and aptitudes.

Parents of children with special needs share the same hopes for a seamless transition. However, they often face additional challenges and uncertainties and waiting until high school to begin planning for the future may not yield the best results.

IDEA mandates that all children who receive special education services have a transition plan in place by age 16. Whether your “what’s next” is staying at home, utilizing independent living services or enrolling in college classes, local experts agree that for parents of special needs kids, there is no such thing as too early when it comes to transition planning.

Carolyn Prickett, mother of Matthew, a now 29-year-old with Down syndrome, knew that choosing the right steps through and beyond high school would lay the foundation for the rest of her son’s life. “One of our dreams for Matthew was that he would live as independently as possible,” she recalls. “We knew that we wouldn’t always be around to support him at home, so it would be easier for him to move out when he was young. Then, as we aged, he would have his own circle of friends and support staff.”

For help in decision-making, the Prickett family turned to Easter Seals, the organization that soon became Matthew’s partner as he moved into adulthood. His situation has turned out well, but Prickett cautions parents not to wait on these decisions. “Transition must be considered long before it happens. Waiting until the last meeting of the year to talk about it is too late.”

It Starts with You, Parents

Before parents can address “what’s next” for their children, they must face their own fears and do their homework. “Transition is frightening for parents, whether their child realizes it or not,” said Prickett. “The way you handle it depends on your child’s level of disability, his or her personality, and the type of services needed.”

Rather than remain fearful, parents can seek out services that are available to help:

• The Arkansas Governor’s Developmental Disability Council offers leadership training for parents and teaches them how to advocate for their child.

• Developmental Disability Services (DDS) does intake for DD services, particularly Medicaid waivers; offers an advocate to assist individuals and families; and publishes a Guide for Adult Services in Arkansas.

• A Transition Coordinator from Arkansas Transition Services, Special Education division, is available also to assist in many areas either in person or at arkansastransition.com.

• The Arkansas Parent Advisory Council (PAC) offers a Parent Consultant for Title V Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN).

Vocational Skills Are Critical

In addition to these state services, central Arkansas offers a range of day programs and independent living services for growing children and adults with special needs. Kathy Weatherl, director of day services for Conway’s Independent Living Services, oversees an adult development program that offers monthly safety training, arts and crafts for creative expression and computer classes that produce a monthly newsletter for the program and a yearbook.

In the vocational program at ILS, individuals are trained and paid for the work they do. “One of the main benefits of the workshop environment is that we are able to provide that extra support and supervision that many individuals need as they begin to venture into the work world,” says Weatherl. Students work on such skills as staying on task and learning how to ask for help or to get along with coworkers and customers. She adds, “The long-term goal for most individuals is employment in the community, and we try to help lay the ground work for them with these basic concepts.” ILS also provides case management services such as developing annual plans and assisting individuals with locating and accessing needed community resources.

Developing practical and life skills is critical for older students with special needs. “Young adults with developmental or learning disabilities cannot be expected to transition to independence and employment without acquiring the skills to do so,” said Tammy Simmons, M.S., CCC-SLP, Executive Director of ACCESS, Inc. in Little Rock. “It’s important that life skills such as following directions, managing time and social skills are addressed throughout a child’s life, at home and at school, to prepare for the transition to adulthood.”

At ACCESS, vocational education is designed around careers of interest and student ability levels. The organization houses several student-oriented businesses, including ACCESS Gardens, ACCESS Ceramics, a campus store and a culinary program. Through these businesses, students learn work skills from vocational instructors with real-world experience in applicable industries.

As the Pricketts can attest, Easter Seals Arkansas provides an array of services to support persons over 18 who have disabilities. The organization’s three apartment complexes offer accessible and affordable housing for adults with disabilities. On-site managers provide transportation and supervision to a wide variety of social activities. For those who are interested in additional training or support services, the Easter Seals Training, Career and Wellness Center has a continuum of services to assist individuals including independent living skills, nutrition, computer, art and securing competitive employment in the community. “The goal is not just employment but rather developing and securing the person’s preferred employment outcome,” explained.

College-Bound and Beyond

Once your child reaches age 18, he or she becomes a responsible adult in the eyes of the law and will be able to make all of their own decisions. If you feel that your child is not capable of managing all of these decisions, you need to explore alternatives such as Full or Partial Guardianship or a Power of Attorney. If your family member has a diagnosis of a mental health disorder, many mental health services provide day or residential programs that specialize in providing needed counseling and other services.

High school graduates with special needs preferring to continue their education at a post secondary school should look for a disability resource specialist at their college or vocational school of choice. These professionals can share knowledge about extra supports for individuals who have a developmental disability. They can assist with adjusted schedules, potential funding sources, and other resources. Centers like Arkansas Rehab Services offer programs and funding sources such as Supported Employment and Vocational Training at the Rehab Center in Hot Springs.