The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is the State Lead Agency for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C program for Washington State. Within DCFY, the Part C programmatic home is the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program. During Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2017 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018),…

Although social skills have long been recognized as essential in promoting employees' employability (e.g., maintaining employment), there has been little research about work-related social skills for the last two decades. A systematic replication of Salzberg, Agran, and Lignugaris/Kraft's investigation of critical social skills was conducted.…

Secondary data analysis using the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 data set was conducted to examine the degree to which autonomy, psychological empowerment, and self-realization (3 of 4 essential characteristics of self-determination) play a mediating role in the relationship between school-based factors and postschool outcomes. The…

Students with intellectual disabilities (ID) who experience challenges in social and emotional development often encounter limited opportunities to develop personal goals, which in turn influences their adult contributions to society. Difficulties with social emotional development and self-determination skills are often exacerbated when children…

A large proportion of youth in the juvenile justice system have disabilities (U.S. Department of Education, 2014). Research indicates that the prevalence of youth with disabilities in these settings is four to five times greater than the prevalence of youth with disabilities in public schools. Juvenile justice facilities often face challenges for…

Enhancing parents' ability to make informed choices is important to successful transition planning for youth with disabilities. This study used a multiple probe design across content areas replicated across participants to examine the effects of a computer-based instructional program on acquisition of parents' knowledge of the transition planning…

The Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) states that transition planning should begin at the earliest age appropriate and no later than age 16. IDEA requires schools to make collaborative efforts to provide students access to an array of postschool activities including integrated employment, postsecondary…

In December of 2004, the reauthorization of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) was signed into law and went into effect on July 1, 2005, making dramatic changes in the area of transition from school to post-secondary life. The President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education created recommendations that influenced the new…

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…

The book is intended for use by school- and nonschool-based professionals in teaching social skills and social competence to handicapped persons in order to promote employment success. It provides guidelines, procedures, and instrumentation for: (1) assessing client status on socially validated social skills required in both school- and…

Interviews with 76 former special school students (ages 16-25) found many were experiencing fractured transitions from school but were more positive about their schools than peers who attended mainstream provision. Students displayed a high level of purposefulness but lacked personal and social resources to support their progression. (Contains…

Each issue of "PRISE Reporter" focuses on some aspect of educating handicapped students and offers a feature article, other sources of information, and descriptions of research projects. The December 1988 issue contains an article titled "Now That the Door Is Open: Social Skills Instruction in the Classroom" (Sue Vernon et al.) which targets…

Fifty successfully employed handicapped individuals were interviewed concerning their transition from school to work, strategies they used to aid transition, and barriers they encountered. Results illustrated the importance of knowledge of available services; high school education; mainstreaming; academic, job, and social skills preparation;…

Part of a series that provides practical resources to transition personnel on topics essential to the process of preparing individuals with disabilities for adulthood, this guide focuses on teaching occupational social skills. Chapter 1, "Why Teach Occupational Social Skills?," explains the importance of these skills for successful…

This handbook for regular and special education teachers, diagnosticians, administrators, parents, and others involved in the development and implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities, focuses on both the intent and spirit of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Chapters cover the…