A transition is a change. Transitioning means lots of new. The process of changing from one way of life to another way of life. Transitioning into adulthood can be an especially tough transition. There are lots of new beginnings and also a lot of endings to deal with at the same time. Some examples of transitions are:
- changing schools
- moving to a new house
- moving out of your parent’s house
- finding a job.
So how do you plan for a transition?
Transition planning helps you create your vision for the kind of future you want to have after you leave school. Maybe you want to go to college. Maybe you have a specific job you want to get. Maybe there’s somewhere you want to move to.
Transition planning is all about figuring out:
- What goals you want to accomplish in your life
- How you’re going to achieve those goals
- What supports you need
- How you will get the support you need
It is okay to feel:
- Good, or excited to start out on your own and live independently.
- Uncertain, scared or frustrated at this stage in your life.
Transition services
Transition services are activities that help you develop the skills you’ll need to be an independent adult. You and your team have to figure out what transition services you’ll need to prepare for achieving your goals. So, transition services are the different kinds of activities or supports you’ll need to get ready for education/ training, employment, and independent living.
There are different state agencies that might be involved in providing you with transition services. Since each state has its own set of agencies, you’ll have to do some research to find out:
- What agencies your state has
- What programs those agencies have
- How to get involved with these agencies