Transition Checklist
Hot Topics for Successful Transition to Adulthood
As you begin to consider the process of preparing our youth with ASD to adulthood, prepare to discuss these topics with
your family and natural support system. Take care of the “easy stuff” first, so you have time to make good decisions.
Plan
Timeline
Service Shift
 Family Centered to Person
Centered
11 y - ongoing
Do
Prepare yourself for the shift in service and legal
systems and prepare youth for shift in increasing
responsibility and expectations. Practice having youth
answer questions before parents. Prepare youth with
appropriate responses.
Paper Work





Valid Photo ID
Wallet Emergency Card
Personal Health Record
Power of Attorney
Archive Dx Documentation
Now - ongoing
Now - ongoing
14y - ongoing
18y
14y
There are a lot of little things that can be done ahead of
time that are low effort, high impact and does not
involve a lot of emotions. Get these done quickly and
give yourself a sense of accomplishment!
 Dependent Adult Coverage
18y
 Medicaid
18y
Parents must initiate coverage through their employer
prior to child’s 19th birthday – plan for 9 months leadtime. Medicaid is always an option, eligibility
requirements change at age 18 – youth are considered
household of “1”.
14y – 20’s
Now - ongoing
Begin early to find the right PCP. Consider parent’s
physician, MED-PEDs, and Family Medicine physicians.
Insure youth have access to reproductive and genetic
counseling.
Medical Coverage
Primary Care
 PCP
 Reproductive Counseling
Career Pathways




Volunteering
Diploma/Certificate
Continuing Education
Supported Employment
Now - ongoing
14y
14y
1y before grad
Citizenship







Alternatives to Guardianship
Special Needs Trusts
Voter Registration
Selective Service Registration
Leisure Activities
Social Programs
Living Arrangements
 Transportation
17y
17y
18y
18y
Now - ongoing
17y
17y
Now – ongoing
Job skills can be developed at any age. It is easier to get
off the diploma track than it is to get on midway. All
UH campuses have disability coordinators. There is NO
IEP in higher education. Formal employment supports
can be provided through Vocational Rehabilitation or
the DD/MR Waiver – begin planning in fall prior to exit.
Protect youth rights and insure the financial security of
the family. Conduct research and discuss best
approach.
All men are required by law to register for the draft. It
is only if the draft is called will the youth be determined
fit to serve.
Combine leisure and social activities to develop natural
supports.
Begin exploring social programs and potential living
arrangements in fall prior to exit.
Consider bus coaching or drivers ed during high school.
Explore disability related passes and permits.
E Ho‘opa‘a Mai Kākou! June 2012
Grant #H6MMC20327 from the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Hawai‘i Pediatric Association Research and Education Foundation
Hawai’i Department of Health Children with Special Needs Branch
American Academy of Pediatrics Hawai‘i Chapter
Hilopa‘a Family to Family Health Information Center
Family Voices of Hawai‘i
www.hilopaa.org/pages/asd.aspx
Hawai‘i
Transition Data
National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs 2005/2006
The National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) is a national
telephone survey conducted in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It is
sponsored by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U. S. Department of Health and
Human Services.
Hawai‘i data from the National Survey of CSHCN show that significantly fewer youth
with ASD receive services needed to make transitions to adult life (0%), compared to
youth with other special health care needs (40.4%).
Hawai‘i ASD Data on Transition7
CSHCN Outcome #6: Youth with special health care
needs receive the services necessary to make transitions
to all aspects of adult life, including adult health care,
work, and independence
Child receives anticipatory guidance in the transition to
adulthood
Doctors have discussed shift to adult provider, if
necessary
Doctors have discussed future health care needs, if
necessary
Doctors have discussed future insurance needs, if
necessary
Child has usually or always been encouraged to take
responsibility for his or her health care needs
% CSHCN
total
% CSHCN
w/autism
% CSHCN
w/o autism
39.4%
0%
40.4%
36.9%
35.2%
36.6%
36.1%
35.4%
36.5%
62.4%
35.2%
63.1%
46.9%
76.3%
45.4%
79.6%
18.3%
82.2%
*Statistically different at the 95% confidence interval.
E Ho‘opa‘a Mai Kākou! June 2012
Grant #H6MMC20327 from the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Hawai‘i Pediatric Association Research and Education Foundation
Hawai’i Department of Health Children with Special Needs Branch
American Academy of Pediatrics Hawai‘i Chapter
Hilopa‘a Family to Family Health Information Center
Family Voices of Hawai‘i
www.hilopaa.org/pages/asd.aspx
*
*