a solid transition plan goes hand in hand with an iep

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written education plan designed to meet your child’s learning needs while they’re young and preparing for elementary education. But what happens when they have reached graduation and are ready to take the next step? This is where an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) comes into play.

You wouldn’t wait to start planning for retirement on the day you retire, would you? If you did, you would be at a loss and behind the eight ball. The same is true with an ITP; you need to plan early, so that when your child is ready, they will be able to move ahead smoothly.

Preparing for what happens after the IEP:

• Begin with the end in mind.
• IEPs end with a high school diploma or age 22 (whichever comes first).
• Individual Transition Plans are required by the time a student turns 16 years old (14 in Massachusetts).
• Planning early allows you to set forth a life plan that develops steps to meaningful and desired outcomes.
• Consider rate of skill acquisition, the building of self advocacy, executive function skills, strengths and interests.

“When you have a child with a disability, it’s hard enough to plan for tomorrow, let alone what comes after secondary school.” To this end, 

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