Virginia Roadmap

STOP 1

At Age 16

• Read our article on Transition.
• Read our articles on Finances, Public and Private.
• Visit the Virginia Department of Education (DOE) website. Find out what the requirements are for graduation with a standard diploma. Also explore the requirements for a modified standard diploma which is available to disabled students, including those on the autism spectrum. In Virginia, students are not required to take an exit exam in order to graduate.
• Meet with your child’s IEP team to discuss the Transition Plan offered by Virginia’s public schools. Visit the Wrightslaw website to get a better understanding of your child’s rights at Transition and review the Virginia DOE’s thorough guide Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Transition to Adulthood.
• Ask the school’s Transition Services Coordinator or your chlid’s IEP team leader to contact the Virginia Department of Rehabilitation Services and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request. Contact the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to find out what supports may be available for your child, at what age your child may apply for services, and how long the waiting list is for those services.
• 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 Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, Virginia Medicaid Program 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.
• Review the Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Transition to Adulthood publication.
• Step up working with the Virginia Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental 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 Virginia Resource Guide.
• Refer to the Autism Speaks website for their Transition Toolkit.
• Visit the website of The Arc to find a Virginia chapter near you.