Senior Year Preparation...

[Laura]

I’m trying to prepare for the school year because my son is entering senior year and turns 18 in early October. First day of school is Aug 21.

Our family’s advocate suggested that my son write a letter to the school stating he wants me as his educational spokesperson, to receive all documentation.  He should state that he wants me to attend all meetings, be included in all emails, and to receive all documents. It was suggested that this letter should be notarized.

Should he include anything else in this letter? I want to make sure we don’t miss anything. We are concerned because the school district has been very difficult to work with. I expect to be left off communications as soon as he turns 18.

He has autism and his needs are in executive functioning and social/communication. He also has some sensory issues. He receives private EF therapy weekly from an SLP, which has been helpful for the EF issues and a little with the social/communication needs. The EF therapy will continue through the school year. He also has therapeutic listening to address the sensory issues.

He wants to go to a four year university.  We are supportive of this goal and believe he is capable. This goal is in his IEP under Postsecondary Transition as well.

At school, he meets with an SLP once per week and is in co-taught inclusion classes with a gen ed instructor and an intervention specialist. Most of the in-school support seems to be prompting/reminding him to get started or turn things in.

He has a jam packed schedule in order to graduate. He will have a study hall every other day. One of those study hall periods he will meet with the SLP. He will also not have a lunch period.

Also, his last ETR was in June 2022. Should I be requesting anything with respect to assessment from the school?

I just want him to get through this (hopefully) last year of high school. We're in Ohio if that is helpful.

[JSD24]

IMO, he needs to sign over educational guardianship to you.  I do know he'll need to be 18 & an adult to sign this sort of paperwork.  (You can't do it ahead of time but you can have the paperwork ready for his signature on his birthday.)  A FERPA waiver might also be expected by the school.  Many special ed attorneys offer a free 15 minute consult but they will likely want to set up the paperwork for this if you contact them.  (I'm in PA & the age of majority for IEPs seems to be 21 here so I didn't have to deal with this.)  Not sure if you can find a free template for this online.

How do you know this will be his last year?  He can stay in school until 21.

What are his post HS graduation plans?  Will he need a current evaluation to get accommodations where he plans to be post-graduation?  If yes, ask the school to do an eval during the 2024-25 school year so you don't need to pay for one.

Also, every child should be providing their parent with POA when they turn 18.  Disability/incapacitation can happen in an instant.  I remember a lawyer with 2 children had a POA set up for his disabled adult child.  It was his typical adult child who ended up hospitalized from a skiing accident & he couldn't get any info from the hospital.

[Laura]

Thank you for all this.

In reality, it may not be his last year. But based on the previous 3 years at this high school, I believe they will pass him through. His post grad plans are to attend a four year university. Honestly, I'm unsure what accomodations will be helpful for him at the college level. He was identified as gifted in several areas in 5th grade, prior to us knowing he had a disability. At the high school, it seems like executive functioning is just prompting and reminding. He's in EF therapy that is helpful and will likely continue through college.

[Lisa Lightner]

If you wish for him to do a 13th or 14th year, then you need to be setting that groundwork NOW. You cannot go to a meeting in April or May and expect this to happen.

 

Here is what goes into a solid transition plan: https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-transition/

 

And here are some things to know about the levels of guardianship, POA, etc. A letter stating as much may not be enough.

https://adayinourshoes.com/guardianship-disabled-child/

[JSD24]

If he needs help with organization & EF, the college's disability office can do this.  It might look like meeting with someone 1X or 2X a week, going over what's due and when he plans to do it.

My oldest was in the school's gifted program & did a 5th year where 3 days were at a local university where she took one class per semester.  They also worked on transitional living skills needed for life on campus.  The other 2 days were a job shadowing program.  She learned a lot that year but it was more happenstance.  She was with a classmate who had seizures.  They were doing a rock wall on campus and he had a seizure while she was belaying him.  She went to the ER with him & called his parents to let them know what happened.  Gathered his stuff to bring with them, etc.  She did everything you'd expect an adult friend to do.  I was a proud mom with what happened.

Many community colleges have agreements with 4-year colleges.  You go to CC & get an associates.  You are then automatically accepted into the same major at the 4-year college.  No SATs, no HS GPA/transcript - some will even waive application fees.  Since students at CC tend to live at home, it can be an easier transition to college.  Cost also tends to be less and the agreement means that all credits will transfer.  (4-year colleges are hurting for enrollment and this is one way they are looking to boost enrollment.)

Knowing there are options can help with planning.  See if he knows what accommodations he'll need at college and make sure he can advocate for them.