6 Tough Questions Every Parent Should Ask Themselves

[Guest guest]

I'm posting an excerpt from one of the Transition articles that are

now uploaded in our Files section. This one offers no solutions,

only questions, but is thought-provoking to say the least. There

are other followup Transition questionnaires and workbooks and

guides in our new Transition section as well, that can help guide us

through to constructive action and planning. If anyone has other

Transition materials they've found helpful, please share them with

us! Thanks. Here's the excerpt:

6 TOUGH QUESTIONS EVERY PARENT SHOULD THINK ABOUT ASKING THEMSELVES

1. What kind of grade would I give a school or school district if

after leaving school I found out that most kids...

• Dropped out because the program simply failed to address their

interests or needs

• Were mostly unemployed

* Those who were employed were employed only on a part time basis

• Received no health-care benefits from their job

• Earned at or below minimum wage

• Earned at or below a poverty threshold

• Were not eligible for or had not enrolled in postsecondary

education

• Were involved with the court system

• Were either transient, homeless or still living with their parents

5-10 years after leaving school

• Could not access or did not know how to use community services

2. Do I think these outcomes are OK for a child with a disability

and if so why?

3. What do I expect for my child when she leaves school and enters

adult life?

4. Why should I expect anything less for my child with a disability

than I would for my child without a disability?

5. What is my responsibility as the parent/guardian of a child with

a disability to make sure they are successful adults?

6. What grade would I give myself?

WHAT COULD I BE DOING NOW TO IMPROVE MY CHILD'S CHANCES FOR A

MEANINGFUL LIFE AS AN ADULT?

Begin With The End

1. The IEP is NOT the starting point for transition planning.

2. The starting point for transition planning is YOU the

parent/family and the young person with the disability.

3. You must develop with your child and your family a vision of the

future – WHAT will your child be doing as an adult?

4. You must consider and help your child think about the following:

*Possibilities and options for the future

*What are your hopes, dreams and aspirations? What are your

expectations?

*What are your most important priorities for your child/family?

*To what extent do your attitudes and beliefs about people with

disabilities limit or expand the possibilities for your child?

5. HOW do you talk about and communicate these possibilities, dreams

and aspirations to...

*Your child?

*Your family?

*Teachers or other professionals involved in the life of your child?

6. HOW OFTEN do you talk about possibilities, dreams, and

aspirations?

7. Do you think about your child as an adult, and if so, what is

he/she doing? How do you see him/her spending time as an adult?

8. WHAT will they be doing at work, in the community, at play, with

friends as an adult?

9. WHO will their friends be and what will they do together?

10. WHERE do you see this actually happening...in your own community

or somewhere else?

Adapted from Parent Guide: What Parents & Families Need to Know

about Transition Education and Planning: An Insider's Perspective -

16 (Copyright © R. 2003, )