Recent statements by educators and child development specialists support the contention that a child's developmental maturity is the key predictor of success in school. Possible modifications of student placement policies are considered, including establishment of transitional programs for kindergarten graduates not fully ready for first grade.…

This monograph examines issues associated with the problems of children and youth with disabilities in the justice system. Following an introductory chapter, chapter 2 focuses on prevention, including systemic prevention strategies, challenges to successful prevention, model programs that address prevention, and recommended prevention practices.…

This document is for administrators, rehabilitation counselors, and other professionals who support the employment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients with disabilities. It contains strategies for vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs to improve an SSI or SSDI…

This brochure explains federal requirements for transition services for secondary students with disabilities, the importance of transition services, and transition planning in the Individualized Education Program (IEP). The roles and responsibilities of the student, special and regular education teachers, parents, adult service agency…

This transition checklist is intended to be a guide for North Dakota students with disabilities, teachers, parents, and agency personnel to help drive the transition process in an orderly and organized manner. The checklist provides suggestions and activities for grades 8-12 and students ages 14-21. The information is organized in sequence to…

Starting school is a transition marked by excitement, trepidation, happiness, or sadness for all involved. This issue of the Australian Early Childhood Association Research in Practice Series discusses some of the issues described as important by children, parents, and preschool and elementary educators in an interview study of children's…

Addresses the feasibility of developing rural community transition councils to improve transition services for students with disabilities. Describes the role of local transition councils in relation to the context of rural communities and transition services. Includes suggestions for enhancing community cohesiveness and community capacity to…

Discusses principles of rural transitional programs for disabled students and strategies for prevocational training such as career visitors, career field trips, career day fair, career bulletin boards, career learning centers, and career aptitude inventories. Discusses strategies for supplementing school programs with community and home-based…

Teacher-parent collaborative consultation can be useful in planning appropriate vocational programs for adolescents with disabilities. Such consultation can involve informing parents of vocational opportunities, planning vocational assessment and collecting vocational information, developing vocational components of individualized education plans,…

Five strategies to support young adults with disabilities who are making the transition into adulthood include (1) encouraging parents to have early expectations for community life; (2) helping parents realize the importance of their role; (3) helping parents honor their children's choices; (4) involving social support networks; and (5) addressing…

Research pointing to the need for routine support and followup for families with infants leaving Neonatal Intensive Care Units is described. A discharge planning process is then recommended, involving assessing the infant's needs, family functioning, family needs, and cultural considerations and linking families with community services. (JDD)

This article describes characteristics of adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders, transition outcomes for these students, model transition programs, and key transition service delivery components, including: intake and functional skill assessment, personal future planning, wraparound social services, competitive employment, flexible…

This position statement of the Council for Exceptional Children's Division on Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities outlines federal regulations governing the transfer of legal rights to students with disabilities at the state-mandated age of majority. It discusses the importance of informed consent, self-determination and student…

This article outlines the numerous difficulties that students with Asperger Syndrome (AS) may encounter during the transition to middle and high school. A range of specific supports and strategies are offered to assist students with AS in making a successful transition, including classroom adaptations and modifications. (Contains references.)…

This article addresses various methods of assessment and support of social competence in school and the community to prepare individuals with mild to moderate disabilities for adulthood. It emphasizes that transition planning and preparation is a continual process that begins in early school experiences and continues through adulthood. (Contains…