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Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
My 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
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Storytelling 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.
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When 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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How to encourage Self-Advocacy
April 8, 2019
Last week, my 7 year old and I went to his class to talk about his disability. Here’s what I learned: 1. Humor is a great way to connect with people and keep it light. Even when we are talking about heavy topics, everyone appreciates some comic relief now and then! 2. This time was…
Read moreNew Tools to Answer your Questions about Transition to Adulthood
March 20, 2019
New tools? Tell us more!You can now find on our website a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the transition to adulthood, as well as a brief overview of the transition process. The FAQs provide information you need to know about a particular topic, all in one place. And the overview covers the…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: “Where Can My Adult Child Live?”
September 17, 2018
Planning for your adult child with disabilities involves thinking about how she or he can live their best full life in the community. If your child needs both a place to live and daily support, they have options. We can’t tell you what is best for your child or exactly what options are available,…
Read moreWhat is Supported Decision-Making?
September 5, 2018
What is supported decision-making?Supported decision-making is an alternative to guardianship. It allows a person with a disability to make their own decisions with support from a team of people they trust instead of having someone else make decisions for them. How does it work?1. A person with a disability decides in what areas they…
Read moreWhat is Transition?
July 11, 2018
What is Transition?Life is full of transitions. Moving, changing jobs, and preparing for a next step are examples we experience all the time. In the disability world, “transition” or “transition to adulthood” refers to the time during which a young adult “transitions” out of school and into the community, whether that means a college…
Read moreWhat is a Transition Plan? Follow These 4 Steps to Get Started
June 13, 2018
A Transition Plan is a document you will create with your child and the rest of the IEP Team by the time your child turns 16. The word “transition” in this case refers to the transition from high school to adult life. This occurs when your child receives a diploma or turns 22 and…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: What is the RISE Act and How Can It Help My College-Aged Student?
December 5, 2017
The Respond, Innovate, Succeed Empower (“RISE”) Act is a piece of legislation that, if it becomes law, will make college more accessible for students with disabilities, especially those who have learning and attention issues such as dyslexia or ADHD.Often, students with disabilities who receive support from their local school districts are forced to undergo…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: How Can I Help My Child Be Job Ready After High School?
October 25, 2017
You’re in luck – we have lots of resources to help you! This is also a timely question as October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. First and foremost, know that there are job supports and job coaches available through various organizations who can help your child learn to be successful in the workplace…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: Advice for Parents Considering a Due Process Hearing
October 25, 2017
Because we don’t know the details of your particular case, we can’t give you specific advice – but we can give you some general tips to think about as you head into a due process hearing. This is an important area of special education law, as you have a legal right to have your…
Read more6 College Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities
February 28, 2017
For many families, creating a college plan for a child with disabilities is a challenging process. Finding the right school that addresses your child's specific needs requires a great deal of research. The added layer of costs for higher education makes for a more stressful experience. However, these 6 college scholarships can help bring financial…
Read more6 Sets of Questions to Help You Decide About Guardianship
March 11, 2016
Your child with a developmental disability is approaching 18. In Massachusetts this is called the ‘age of majority.’ It’s when he or she becomes a decision-making adult in the eyes of the law.You need to decide if some type of guardianship or shared decision-making is right for them as they enter adulthood. But how…
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Know these 3 Basics about Guardianship
January 29, 2016
1. Why is Guardianship important?When a child turns 18 in Massachusetts, parents no longer have the legal right to make decisions for him or her. Yet many children with disabilities need help making decisions after they turn 18. These decisions fall in key areas of life like:EducationHousingHealth careInsuranceSafetyThis is where guardianship comes in.Guardianship means that…
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