IEP Checklist for Families of Children with Intellectual Disabilities Bound for College

PACER just developed a helpful new checklist for our partners at Think College to help IEP teams prepare students for inclusive postsecondary education. Parents and teachers of high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities – make sure you have this with you at your next meeting!

Tips for Youth on Participating in IEP Meetings

Self-advocacy skills are key to success in postsecondary and employment settings. “Your IEP Meeting: A Great Place to Practice Self-Advocacy Skills” is a PACER publication for youth introducing them to ways they can be involved in team decisions and learn self-advocacy skills. Also see PACER’s related “Sample Self-Advocacy Plan” to help youth answer questions that will help them prepare for their IEP meetings.

Self-Advocacy Vocabulary for Youth

“Meet Alejandra: Successful Self-Advocate” introduces youth to Alejandra who just turned 18. Alejandra’s story includes links to simple descriptions of terms that will be important for youth to understand as they advocate for themselves in school, on the job and in the community.

How You Can Help Your Child Learn to Be a Good Self-Advocate

It is never too early to start teaching your child how they can advocate for themself. Like many other important life skills, self-advocacy is a critical tool your son or daughter needs in order to achieve goals, increase self-sufficiency, and become a successful young adult. Teaching youth self-advocacy skills will have benefits throughout the school years and far beyond into adulthood. This PACER publication provides you with ideas on “How You Can Help Your Child Learn to be a Good Self-Advocate.”

“Can I Ask for Self-Advocacy IEP Goals for My Child?”

This article from Understood.org answers the above question and provides examples of self-advocacy goals that can be incorporated into the IEP.

Save the Date: June 18 Webinar on Tools to Help Manage Daily Life for College Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Heading off to college brings excitement as well as new challenges for students and their families. In this Think College webinar PACER's Simon Technology Center specialists will discuss tools to support students with intellectual disabilities as they learn to navigate the college campus and college life. Demonstrations will include mobile apps to help students manage their time, schedule, money, and social connections. Save the Date: June 18, 2020 3:00 PM Eastern Time and register here.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact a PACER Transition Specialist by emailing [email protected] or calling us at (952)838-9000.

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