District of Columbia Roadmap

STOP 1

At Age 16

• Read our article on Transition.
• Read our articles on Finances, Public and Private.
• Visit District of Columbia’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education and the Districtof Columbia Public Schools websites. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma are.
• Meet with your child’s IEP team to discuss the Transition Plan. Visit the Wrightslaw website to get a better understanding of your child’s rights at Transition.
• Contact the DC Department on Disability Services to learn more about adult supports.
• Ask the school’s Transition Services Coordinator or your child’s IEP team leader to contact the Rehabilitation Services Administration and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request.
• Visit the website of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) if you wish to hire someone to help you advocate with your school system.

STOP 2

At Age 17

• Read our article on Guardianship.
• Read our articles on Finances, Public and Private.
• Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Even if your child receives SSI now, he will have to re-apply at age 18.
• Contact the DC Department of Human Services to find out if your child will qualify for Medicaid upon turning 18 and if so, begin application process.

STOP 3

One Year Before High School Graduation

• Read our article on Postsecondary planning. Start considering and visiting programs.
• Read our article on Employment.
• Step up working with the Rehabilitation Services Administration.
• Step up working with the DC Department on Disability Services.

STOP 4

At Age 21

• Read our Housing article.
• Read our article on Finances, Public and Private.
• Read our article on Employment.
• Refer to the Autism Speaks website for the Housing and Residential Supports Toolkit.

All Along the Way

• Visit the Autism Speaks DC Resource Guide.
• Refer to the Autism Speaks website for their Transition Toolkit.
• Visit the website of the Autism Society of DC.
• Visit the website of the Arc of DC.