After High School Options
Understand possible paths after graduation, including adult day programs, supported employment, college supports, vocational training, and community-based services for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Plan the Transition to Adulthood for Your Child With an Intellectual Disability
Get clear, practical next steps for life after high school, adult services, independence skills, and legal planning. Answer a few questions to receive personalized guidance tailored to your child’s transition to adulthood.
About 3–5 minutesPrivate assessmentNo long answers
About this assessment
Start Your Child’s Transition Planning Assessment
Share what feels most urgent right now so we can help you focus on the right supports, transition goals, and adult life planning priorities for your child with an intellectual disability.
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What Transition to Adulthood Planning Usually Includes
For families of teens with intellectual disabilities, transition planning often involves more than one decision at a time. You may be thinking about what happens after high school, how to build adult life skills, whether your child can work or attend a program, and how to handle guardianship or other legal and financial choices. A strong plan helps you organize school-based transition services, adult transition services, and family priorities into clear next steps.
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Common Areas Parents Need Help With
Adult Life Skills and Independence
Identify transition goals related to daily routines, communication, transportation, self-care, safety, money basics, and decision-making so your child can build greater independence over time.
Guardianship and Adult Decision-Making
Learn when families begin exploring guardianship, supported decision-making, benefits planning, and other legal considerations as a child with an intellectual disability approaches adulthood.
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How Personalized Guidance Can Help
Clarify Priorities
If everything feels urgent, personalized guidance can help you narrow the focus to the most important transition needs right now, whether that is services, school planning, or adult living skills.
Connect School and Adult Systems
Many parents need help understanding how special education transition planning connects with adult service systems. A guided approach can make those handoffs easier to understand.
Turn Concerns Into Action Steps
Instead of trying to solve the whole future at once, you can get a clearer picture of what to do next for transition goals, service planning, and support for adulthood.
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Support for Parents Navigating Intellectual Disability Transition Planning
You do not need to figure out the transition to adulthood alone. Whether you are just starting to ask questions or already working on IEP transition goals, the right guidance can help you make informed decisions with less stress. This assessment is designed for parents who want practical direction on planning for adulthood with an intellectual disability, including services, independence, and long-term support needs.
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Topics Often Included in Transition Goals
Employment and Day Activities
Explore goals related to job readiness, volunteer experiences, structured day programs, and meaningful adult routines based on your child’s strengths and support needs.
Education and Community Participation
Consider goals for continuing education, community access, recreation, social participation, and learning how to use supports in adult settings.
Independent Living Foundations
Build toward adult responsibilities with goals for home routines, health management, communication, self-advocacy, and practical daily living skills.
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Frequently asked questions
When should transition planning start for a student with an intellectual disability?
Many families begin thinking seriously about transition planning in the early teen years, and schools often address formal transition goals during secondary special education planning. Starting earlier can give you more time to build life skills, explore adult services, and prepare for decisions after high school.
What happens after high school for a young adult with an intellectual disability?
The next step depends on the individual. Some young adults move into supported employment, adult day services, vocational programs, college-based supports, or community participation programs. Others focus first on daily living skills, benefits, or service eligibility. A transition plan helps families compare options and prepare for what comes next.
How do I know which transition goals matter most for my child?
The most useful transition goals are tied to real adult outcomes, such as communication, independence, work readiness, safety, transportation, and decision-making. Priorities vary by child, which is why personalized guidance can help you focus on the goals that fit your child’s strengths, needs, and future plans.
Do I need to think about guardianship before my child turns 18?
Many families begin learning about guardianship and alternatives before age 18 so they have time to understand the options. Depending on your child’s abilities and support needs, you may also want to explore supported decision-making, powers of attorney, and benefits-related planning.
Can adult transition services be coordinated with school services?
Yes, but the process can feel complicated. School transition planning and adult service systems often have different timelines, eligibility rules, and paperwork. Families often benefit from guidance that helps them understand how these systems connect and what steps to take first.
Personalized assessment
Get Personalized Guidance for Your Child’s Move Into Adult Life
Answer a few questions to start an assessment focused on transition to adulthood for intellectual disability. You’ll get clearer direction on services, independence goals, and planning steps that fit your family’s situation.