Participation Type
Experiential Presentation
Presentation #1 Title
Finding Success: A Mother and Son Talk About Triumphing Through Transition
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
I am a special educator of over 20 years, a doctoral student at Marshall University, and the mother of a 23 year old son with a moderate intellectual disability. During a time when IDEIA 2004 requires public schools to prepare youth with disabilities for further education, employment, and independent living; and federal regulations require inclusive employment for individuals with disabilities, the need for meaningful and beneficial transition planning has never been greater. I, along with my son, will describe in detail how we used evidence-based practices such as instruction and training in natural environments supported by classroom instruction; individualized transition services based on his postsecondary goals in postsecondary education, employment, and independent living; and interagency collaboration to provide coordinated transition services.
The transition process was not easy or uneventful, and it truly took a concerted team effort to get my son where he is today: gainfully employed, living in his own home, and actively involved in his community. This experiential presentation is both one of the heart and one of evidence and research-based practices that will be sure to inform parents, educators, agency representatives, employers, and community members alike in how they can collaborate and work together to ensure smooth, successful transitions for our youth with disabilities. This is a critical issue for this diverse population, as well as for all of us, and it behooves us as a community to do all we can to ensure these individuals have successful transitions resulting in full inclusion in the workplace and community.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
I am a special educator of over 20 years, a doctoral student at Marshall University, and the mother of a 23 year old son with a moderate intellectual disability. My research interests include transition practices and effective functional curriculum.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
I am a dedicated, hard-working 23 year old man with an intellectual disability. I am a high school graduate who is gainfully employed, living in my own home, and participating fully in my community.
Conference Subthemes
Diversity and Inclusion, Education
Finding Success: A Mother and Son Talk About Triumphing Through Transition
I am a special educator of over 20 years, a doctoral student at Marshall University, and the mother of a 23 year old son with a moderate intellectual disability. During a time when IDEIA 2004 requires public schools to prepare youth with disabilities for further education, employment, and independent living; and federal regulations require inclusive employment for individuals with disabilities, the need for meaningful and beneficial transition planning has never been greater. I, along with my son, will describe in detail how we used evidence-based practices such as instruction and training in natural environments supported by classroom instruction; individualized transition services based on his postsecondary goals in postsecondary education, employment, and independent living; and interagency collaboration to provide coordinated transition services.
The transition process was not easy or uneventful, and it truly took a concerted team effort to get my son where he is today: gainfully employed, living in his own home, and actively involved in his community. This experiential presentation is both one of the heart and one of evidence and research-based practices that will be sure to inform parents, educators, agency representatives, employers, and community members alike in how they can collaborate and work together to ensure smooth, successful transitions for our youth with disabilities. This is a critical issue for this diverse population, as well as for all of us, and it behooves us as a community to do all we can to ensure these individuals have successful transitions resulting in full inclusion in the workplace and community.
