Masschusetts Roadmap

STOP 1

At Age 16

• Visit the Massachusetts Department of Education. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma are. Students in Massachusetts must pass exit exams to graduate.
• Ask the school’s Transition Services Coordinator or your chlid’s IEP team leader to contact the Massachusetts Department of Disability Services, Vocational Rehabilitation division and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request. The Consumer Handbook provides a downloadable guide for high school students and their parents.
• Contact the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services, Disability Services division 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. 
• Visit MassHealth website 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 the Turning 22 Legislative Reports about Transition Planning in Massachusetts. 
• Read our article on Employment.

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 Massachusetts Resource Guide.
• Refer to the Autism Speaks website for their Transition Toolkit.
• Visit the website of the The Arc of Massachusetts. 
• Visit the websites of the Autism Resource Center of Central Massachusetts.