Rhode Island Roadmap

STOP 1

At Age 16

• Read our article on Transition.
• Read our articles on Finances, Public and Private.
• Visit the Rhode Island Department of Education website. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma are. Students in Rhode Island must pass exit exams in order to graduate; these are changing and a new system will be in place for the Class of 2014.
• 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 Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitative Services, Vocational Rehabilitation and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request.
• Contact the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals 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 Rhode Island RIte Care (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 Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitative Services, Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Step up working with the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals.

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