Skip to main content
Transition hub

School ends. Life keeps going.

Transition is more than IEP paperwork. It’s legal status, employment, college, housing, and adult benefits — most of which start years before 18. Here’s a calm map.

A timeline that fits

  1. 14

    Begin transition planning in the IEP. Run a strengths & interests inventory.

  2. 16

    Federal-required transition goals start. Student leads parts of the IEP meeting.

  3. 17

    Decide: guardianship, supported decision-making, or no formal arrangement.

  4. 18

    Apply for SSI. Register to vote. Sign powers of attorney if using SDM.

  5. 18-21

    Connect with state VR. Try paid work experiences. Consider IPSE programs.

  6. 21-22

    School services typically end. Move to adult Medicaid waivers, day programs, or employment.

Ages are typical US benchmarks; rules vary by state.

Six pillars of the transition years

Pick the one that’s most urgent right now. You don’t have to do all six at once.

Transition IEP (age 14–22)

  • Federal law requires transition planning by age 16; many states start at 14.
  • Goals must be measurable, postsecondary-focused (education, employment, independent living), and updated yearly.
  • The student should be invited and ideally lead the meeting starting around age 16.
  • Ask for a vocational assessment and a community-based work experience plan.
Decode an IEP with AI

Employment & vocational rehab

  • State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies pay for job coaching, training, assistive tech, and college credentials when tied to a work goal.
  • Apply through your state VR agency — it’s free, but waitlists vary.
  • Customized employment, supported employment, and self-employment are all valid paths.
  • Disclosure at work is a personal choice. ADA accommodations don’t require a diagnosis label, only a documented impact.
Find an employment specialist

College & postsecondary

  • IEPs end at high-school graduation; college accommodations run on the ADA / Section 504 — students must self-disclose to the disability office.
  • Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) programs exist on 300+ campuses for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
  • A high-school diploma vs. a certificate of completion has big downstream effects — check your state’s rules.
  • Visit campuses on a "low-stim" day; check sensory access and quiet spaces.
Browse postsecondary resources

Housing & independent living

  • Options span the spectrum: family home with supports, supported living apartments, host-home models, group homes, intentional communities.
  • HUD Section 811 supports rentals for adults with disabilities; long waitlists in most states.
  • Medicaid HCBS waivers can pay for in-home support staff so people can stay in the community.
  • Skill-building (cooking, money, transit, scheduling) should start years before 18 — not at the doorstep of move-out.
Explore financial help

Adult benefits

  • SSI redetermines at 18 using adult disability rules (parental income no longer counts).
  • Adult Medicaid often unlocks new HCBS waivers; some states have waitlists — get on early.
  • ABLE accounts let an adult save for disability-related expenses without losing SSI/Medicaid.
  • Apply for SSI in the month the young adult turns 18 — earlier filings are usually denied.
See financial programs

Need a personalized roadmap?

Our Navigator can sketch a state-specific plan in minutes — what to file, when, and where.

Plan with the Navigator

Not legal advice. Verify program rules with your state agency.