Washington Roadmap

STOP 1

At Age 16

• Read our article on Transition.
• Read our articles on Finances, Public and Private.
• Visit the Washington of Superintendent of Public Instruction website. Check out the Graduation Toolkit to find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma are, and what options exist for students through age 21 who are unable to earn a diploma. In Washington, students are required to take standardized state exit exams (the recently renamed HSPEs), and/or complete approved alternative pathways. Students enrolled in special education will have their participation in state exams dictated by the student’s IEP. WARNING: Graduation requirements in the state of Washington are in flux, with different testing requirements for the classes of 2012, 2013/14 and 2015. All of the requirements discussed above may be further amended at the local school district level. 
• 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.
• Ask the school’s Transition Services Coordinator or your chlid’s IEP team leader to contact their transition liaison from the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and request that a transition team member attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request. Contact the Washington DSHS Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) 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 Washington Medicaid program run by DSHS 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 Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).
• Step up working with the Washington DSHS Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).
• Refer to the Autism Speaks website for the Housing and Residential Supports Toolkit.

 STOP 4

At Age 21

• Read our Housing article.
• Read our article on Finances, Public and Private.
• Read our article on Employment.

All Along the Way

• Visit the Autism Speaks Washington Resource Guide.
• Refer to the Autism Speaks website for their Transition Toolkit.
• Visit the website of The Arc to find a Washington chapter near you.