Page 13 - FDLRS Focus 2019

Secondary Transition

Students are constantly growing and changing as they move along the path from childhood to adulthood.
From the time that a child is born she or he begins developing the skills to become an independent adult in the
future. Some of the most critical skills that students learn are those which increase their independence & self-
determination. What can you do to help your child develop independence?

10 THINGS YOU CAN DO NOW TO DEVELOP YOUR CHILD'S
INDEPENDENCE & SELF-DETERMINATION

1. TOGETHER, come up with a plan for what life will look like in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years.
2. Apply for any relevant agency supports if not already done.
3. Promote independence at home: empower your young adult to be as independent as possible and
provide opportunities for them to make decisions and problem solve (Self-Determination and Self-
Advocacy).
4. Give and reinforce completion of chores at home to promote work ethic and adult life skills.
5. Obtain official identification card and utilize public transportation or obtain driver’s license.
6. Plan for independent medication management, if applicable.
7. Have your young adult become independent with cell phone & other communication technology.
8. Discuss community safety and CYBER safety.
9. Reinforce age appropriate hygiene practices, social interactions and behavior.
10. Enroll in regularly scheduled community activity- sports, art, public service organization, volunteering
or social group.

Our district Transition Team is here to support your student as she or he moves through the secondary grades.
Please join us for our Transition Open House events scheduled throughout the year to provide resources
and time to meet with agencies to discuss their services. Recent events were held on October 25th in Boca
Raton and October 30th in Lake Worth and a Student & Parent Panel on November 10th. Watch the ESE
Department website for future events.

For more Transition supports and resources please visit
https:// www.palmbeachschools.org/students_parents/ese/support_services/transition
and the Florida Transition Network- Project 10 at
http://project10.info/

Laura Schultze, M.S.
Program Planner for Secondary Curriculum and Transition

Volume 40 Issue 1 Page 13