Pennsylvania Roadmap

STOP 1

At Age 16

• Read our article on Transition.
• Read our articles on Finances, Public and Private.
• Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma are. Diploma requirements are set by each school district. Beginning with the class of 2015, students in Pennsylvania will have to take exit exams to graduate.
• 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 the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request.
• Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare 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 the Pennsylvania Medical Assistance (Medicaid) 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 our article on Employment.
• Step up working with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Step up working with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

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 Pennsylvania Resource Guide. 
• Refer to the Autism Speaks website for their Transition Toolkit.
• Read the Pennsylvania and Delaware Autism Transition Handbook and click on embedded icons for information specific to Pennsylvania. 
• Visit the website of The Arc of Pennsylvania.
• Visit the website of the Autism Society to find a Pennsylvania chapter near you.