Student Strategies
You are the most important part of planning for your future, and getting involved now helps build the skills and confidence you’ll need as an adult. Practice life skills, participate in your IEP, explore options, speak up for yourself, stay connected, make daily choices, and lean on your team of family, friends, and mentors for support.
Practice Life Skills
Try cooking a meal, doing laundry, keeping track of your money, or setting reminders for appointments. Learn your personal information like your address, phone number, and important contacts, so you can share it when needed.
Explore Your Options
Test out different programs and classes in high school, visit a college or job site, or talk with adults about what they do for work. These experiences can help you figure out what feels like a good fit.
Stay Connected
Join clubs, sports, volunteer groups, or community activities where you can meet people, make friends, and build confidence.
Lean on Your Team
Family, friends, teachers, and mentors are here to support you. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Be Part of Your IEP
Show up to your meetings, share your ideas, and ask questions. This is your future, and your voice matters.
Speak Up for Yourself
Practice saying what you need, asking for help, and explaining your goals. The more you practice now, the easier it will be later.
Make Choices Everyday
From what to eat for lunch to what kind of job you want, making decisions (big and small) helps you get better at problem-solving and planning.
Family Strategies
Families play a vital role in supporting young adults as they transition to adulthood by planning early, building life skills, encouraging self-advocacy, and supporting decision-making. Leaning on a support network, navigating adult services, and considering each family’s unique circumstances can help ensure a smoother, more confident path to independence.
Plan Early & Stay Informed
Attend IEP meetings and understand the differences between diplomas and certificates. Early planning helps families anticipate challenges and opportunities.
Encourage Communication & Self-Advocacy
Help your child express their needs, ask for help, and make decisions about school, work, and personal goals. Role-play situations, encourage asking questions, and celebrate successes to strengthen self-advocacy skills.
Lean on Your Support Network
Families don’t have to do this alone. Tap into your natural support system such as relatives, friends, neighbors, and local community resources to help your young adult succeed.
Consider Unique Circumstances
Every family’s situation is different. Families from diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds, military families, youth in foster care, LGBTQIA+ youth, the deaf/hard of hearing community, farming communities, or those involved with the juvenile justice system may need specialized guidance. Connect with local resources that understand these specific needs or ask your child’s IEP case manager to guide you in the right direction.
Build Life Skills at Home
Give your child responsibilities such as managing their allowance, doing chores, preparing meals, or handling small errands. Encourage independence in daily living like money management, transportation, health care, and household tasks. Make sure your child knows their personal information or knows how to access it, like basic health history, phone numbers, address, and emergency contacts.
Support Decision-Making
Provide opportunities for your child to make choices, from daily routines to larger life decisions. Discuss options, potential outcomes, and problem-solving strategies together to build confidence and independence.
Navigate Adult Services
​Apply early for programs, benefits (SSI/SSDI, ABLE accounts), housing, PUNS, etc. Understand eligibility rules and maintain regular contact with agencies to ensure a smooth transition.
Questions to Consider
Families can support a successful transition by asking key questions about diplomas, independent living skills, education and work opportunities, adult services, and decision-making supports. Considering self-advocacy, unique family or cultural needs, and building connections with community resources early helps prepare young adults for life after high school.
Diploma vs. Certificate
What kind of diploma or certificate will my child earn, and how does it affect post-high school opportunities?
Goal Support
Which programs, classes, or experiences will best support their goals?
Adult Services & Benefits
What adult services or benefits might my child need, and when should we apply?
Self-Advocacy
How can we help them learn self-advocacy skills so they can communicate needs and make choices confidently?
Action Steps Before High School Ends
What steps can we take now to build relationships with adult service providers and community resources before graduation or aging out?
Skills for Independence
What skills does my child need to live as independently as possible?
Post-High School Options
How can we help them explore work, vocational, or further education options that match their strengths and interests?
Decision-Making Support
Do they need additional support for decision-making, such as guardianship, supported decision-making, or powers of attorney?
Unique Circumstances
Are there unique family or cultural circumstances that affect their transition plan?