It is essential to start planning early for when an individual experiencing a developmental disability graduates from school. Schools are required to start addressing a student's transition to adult services when they turn 12 years old... and even though many students can stay in school until they are 21, twelve is not too early.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What is my child going to do during the day after they graduate or "age out" of school?
• Is my child going to sit at home and watch TV?
• Does my child want to work and get a job?
• Will my child need assistance getting a job (i.e. filling our applications and receiving on the job training)?
• How will my child get to and from work?
• Will my child need a day program where the can get additional staff supports after they graduate?
• Where will my child live after they graduate?
• Will they live with family?
• Will they need a place of their own?
• Will they need help 24 hours of support per day?
• Will they need help cooking, managing money, and taking medications?

These are just some of the questions caregivers need to ask themselves before their child leaves school. For some of COARC's services, like residential habilitation, it can take several years before the appropriate services become available — and the sooner someone applies for services, the better we can plan for them.

For more information on transition, please contact COARC's Main Headquarters or email us at info@coarc.org.