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Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
Advocating for a Child with Mobility Challenges: Mom know best. Meet Kisha and Kirsten
August 29, 2023
Becoming a 19 year old single parent of a child with a disability was a challenge that Kisha was not prepared for, but she quickly adapted to support her daughter’s needs. In this Families and Stories interview, Kisha emphasizes the importance of taking the time to learn to effectively communicate with medical professionals and balancing…
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Polymicrogyria Success Stories: Meet Rob and Schuyler | Navigating Developmental Disabilities
May 5, 2023
Schuyler and her father worked together to advocate for her independence. Together, they are a Polymicrogyria success story.
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Autism and Social Interaction: Meet Johnny and Jonathan | Mastering Independence for Young Adults with Disabilities
May 3, 2023
Transitioning into adulthood can be a daunting experience, especially for those with disabilities related to autism and social interaction. Jonathan’s (who is autistic) parents took advantage of his father’s role at a local community college and enrolled their son as a part-time student to continue their journey to prepare him for life after high school.…
Read moreMeet Tanja and Andy: Preparing your child for the real world
May 2, 2023
Tanja and Andy made sure they were ready for the challenges of independence and autism.
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Using Transition Assessments to plan for life after high school
March 8, 2023
For students with disabilities, schools use transition assessments to plan for life after high school. Learn how this works.
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What kinds of programs can support my child as they become an adult?
January 26, 2023
It can be scary when your student with a disability transitions to adult life. But there are programs and resources to support them. Learn more.
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Prepare your child for the workforce with job skills training for young adults with disabilities.
November 30, 2022
What job skills do employers look for? Prepare your child for the workforce with job skills training for young adults with disabilities.
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Life after the IEP: Helping my child with a disability transition to adulthood
October 12, 2022
It’s hard to envision how your child with a disability will transition to adulthood. Let’s set them up with the support they need for adult life in this week’s podcast! Narrated by Christina Kozik; Written by Julie McKinney
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1 Quick Question: How can Disability Services support my child when they get to college?
September 14, 2022
How are accommodations for students different in college than high school? Learn more in this 2-min video on college Disability Services.
Read moreSelf-Advocacy for Young Adults: Overcoming Fears
August 24, 2022
Is your teen able to advocate for themselves? Learn how young adults can overcome the fear of self-advocating in this two minute video.
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How can I get my teenager ready for independent living?
July 6, 2022
The transition to adulthood is hard. For kids with disabilities, it can bring extra challenges. In this podcast we talk about how to help our kids get ready.Narrated by Christina Kozik; Written by Julie McKinney
Read moreTips to help youth with disabilities learn independent living skills
July 6, 2022
Youth with disabilities should start to learn independent living skills as early as possible. Read on to help them transition to adulthood!
Read moreTransition to adulthood for young people with disabilities: a timeline.
June 22, 2022
If you are the parent to a student with disabilities, the transition to adulthood can feel overwhelming. Here’s a timeline to help you through.
Read moreMy student with disabilities is transitioning to adult life – how do we find resources for them?
April 20, 2022
Youth with disabilities should start to learn independent living skills as early as possible. Read on to help them transition to adulthood!
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My child with disabilities is now an adult. How do I let go and still support him?
March 16, 2022
At age 22, young people with disabilities age out of special education. In this podcast, Exceptional Lives Team member Julie talks about her son’s transition and how she is learning to support him in this new part of his life while she learns to let go. Narrated by Christina Kozik; Written by Julie McKinney
Read moreStorytelling as a self-advocacy skill for teens with disabilities
February 28, 2022
Telling their own story is a self-advocacy skill for teens with disabilities. In this short video, Dr. Leslie Grover talks about how to get your teen started.
Read moreMy child with disabilities is now an adult. How can I let go and still support him?
December 15, 2021
At age 22, kids on IEPs age out of special education. Read about this tough transition and how to support both them and us (the parents!)
Read more1 Quick Question: How can I help my child with a disability get ready to transition to college?
November 17, 2021
If your child with disabilities is getting ready for college, you may be wondering what skills they need. This 2-minute video with advice from Fred Johnson of Collegiate Academies in New Orleans will point you and your student in the right direction.
Read moreLife after the IEP: How do I help my child with a disability transition to adulthood?
October 7, 2021
If your child has a disability, it might be hard to envision how they will transition to adulthood. Here’s how to set them up with the support they need for adult life.
Read moreWhen Should I Start Thinking About Guardianship?
August 2, 2019
Is your child almost 18? If you’re wondering about different ways you can help your child with decision-making, or whether or not you need to apply for guardianship, we’ve created a short guide to discuss the options and walk you through the process.
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