Grades 9 - 10
Transition Across the Grade Span: From Pre-K to Post-Grad
- Actively participate in IEP meetings, and encourage your child to:
- Lead part / all of IEP meetings
- Explain their disability and how others can provide assistance
- Communicate their strengths and needs
- Set their own goals (academic and transition) based on informed choices
- Consider accessing Pre-employment Transition Services (PreETS) through the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
- Explore changes to legal rights that will transfer to your child at age 18
- Encourage increased independence in the use of decision-making skills
- Help your child understand how work and leisure interests can help to achieve personal success and satisfaction
- In your child's IEP meeting, ensure the Academic and Career Plan and suggested courses of study are discussed
- Explore college and training programs:
- College options that exist for students earning a standard or advanced diploma
- College options that exist for students earning an applied studies diploma
- Training programs
- Explore supports and accessibility in colleges and training programs
- Explore and ask questions about possible credit accommodations your child might be eligible to receive
- Support your child to explore Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses
- Support your child to explore requirements for careers of interest
- Understand that self-employment is a career option
- Support your child to explore jobs that match their strengths and preferences based on considerations like working independently or in a team, problem-solving, etc.
- Explore Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) with your child's case manager and Department for Aging and Rehabilitation Services (DARS) vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor to explore those opportunities
Encourage and support your child to:
- Participate in school or community clubs / activities
- Learn about transportation options and ways to get around in their community
- Develop time and money management skills
- Understand their own health and medical needs
- Participate in daily living activities including meal preparation, doing laundry and housekeeping
- Keep a planner to manage activities and appointments
- Know how to be safe when with friends or out in the community
- Know how to interact with law enforcement, medical / dental staff, store clerks and others
- Assist your child with securing a state-issued ID at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for employment or other photo ID needs
This product was created by the Family Engagement Network (FEN), through a grant provided by the Virginia Department of Education and managed by the Center for Family Involvement at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University.
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