Families: Parents

Parents (i.e., the primary caregivers for a child with a disability)

Parents, you play one of the most important roles in your child's transition to adulthood. You know your child best, and you are the constant in your child's life. Decisions about your child's future cannot be made without your input. Educators recognize the importance of parental involvement in the transition process, but educators also know that it can be difficult for a parent to know how to contribute to their child's transition planning. Thinking about your child being an adult can be scary. However, there are things you can do to help your child with this transition. It is good to remember that life comes to us one day at a time and our goal is to help you make each day count.

Parents Tools

• Building Self-Determination: For Parents of Young Adults with Learning Differences
• Building Self-determination in my Child
• Parent/Child Planning Guide for the ARD/IEP Meeting
• Family Role in Systems and Instructional Support
• Level of Support T-Chart for Parents and an Example En Español
• Postsecondary Education: Advice for Middle School Parents
• Middle School: Preparing for High School and Post-High School Life
• Parent and Child Self-Determination Activity
• Parent, Student, Special Education Roles in IEP En Español
• Parent/Child Planning Guide for the IEP Meeting
• Post-secondary Education: What students with disabilities and Their Parents/Guardians Need to Know
• Self-Determination Ideas for Parents: Teaching Your Children to Help Themselves
• Self-Determination T-Chart for Children: Learning to Help Myself
• Self-Determination T-Chart for Parents: Reducing How Much Support My Child Needs
• Texas Transition and Employment Guide
• Texas Transition and Employment Guide - Spanish
• Ways Parents Can Help with Student-Led IEP Meetings

• Additional Resources

  Texas Transition and Employment Guide Translated in ASL

  This is a link to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources in Texas webpage that has videos related to transition. For example, videos include the Texas Transition and Employment Guide, transition webinars, and other useful videos on transition topics such as using Vocational Rehabilitation services, transition tips, and applying for jobs. All videos use American Sign Language with audio; closed captions are available.

  Secondary Transition Guidance from the Texas Education Agency

  This link is for the Texas Education Agency's webpage on Secondary Transition Guidance. The page contains links to information and websites about transitioning from school settings to post-school settings.

  Student-Centered Transitions Network

  The Student-Centered Transitions Network is led by The Garrett Center on Transition and Disability Studies. The Garrett Center coordinates statewide activities designed to build collaborative infrastructures among students, families, schools, districts, and communities to equip all students with disabilities to be actively involved in planning, communicating, and evaluating progress in meeting their transition goals from early childhood through high school graduation and post-secondary readiness.