TRANSITIONS GUIDE HOMEPAGE
My Child with Special Needs is in High School
What Should I Be Doing?
As a parent of a child with a disability in high school, there are several things you can do to support your child's success.
Build a strong relationship with your child's school.
It's important to maintain open communication with your child's teachers, counselors, and other support staff. Attend parent-teacher conferences and other school meetings, and ask questions about your child's progress, strengths, and areas where they may need additional support.
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Stay involved in your child's education.
Help your child with homework, assist with studying, and make sure they have a quiet and organized space to work in at home. Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities that align with their interests and passions.
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Genesis at Work Tip
Regularly check in with teachers and service providers and find ways to continue the learning at home.
Advocate for your child.
If your child needs additional support or accommodation to succeed in school, advocate for their needs. Work with the school's special education team to develop a plan that is specific to the needs and interests of your child.
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Help your child develop self-advocacy skills
As your child gets older, it's important for them to develop skills to advocate for themselves. Encourage your child to speak up about their needs and preferences and help them develop strategies for communicating effectively with teachers and other adults.
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Genesis at Work Tip
One of the most important things you could do for your child is encourage them to be advocates for themselves and give them the tools they need to stand up for themselves.
Encourage Socialization
Find organizations and groups that offer services, camps, and programming that can allow for peer-to-peer socialization. Spending time with peers can help your child to develop friendships, communication skills, and increase their overall quality of life and sense of happiness.
Hamilton County DDS ALIFE—ALIFE stands for Advocacy, Life Course Planning, Inclusion, and Family Engagement. Individuals do not need to qualify for Hamilton County DDS to be able to access this.
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ALIFE’s aim or purpose is to provide the best opportunities and supports within the described ALIFE areas that help you live a good life. This aim causes us to deeply listen to you, to constantly think about and look at what we are offering and how it is working for you. If it works well, we continue it. If it does not, we will find better ways to do so. Thus, this plan will be updated and improved as we work through it.
Advocacy: Amber Cowart, amber.cowart@hamiltondds.org, 513-559-6934
Family Engagement Coordinator: Sean Bostic, sean.bostic@hamiltondds.org, 513-559-6863
Ann Myres: Community Navigator: Ann Myres, ann.myres@Hamiltondds.org, 513-703-2138
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Plan for the future
Start thinking about your child's post-secondary education or employment options early on. Attend school transition planning meetings and work with your child's school to develop a plan for their future that aligns with their strengths and interests. It is also important to start thinking about what will happen when your child reaches the age of 18, and plan accordingly.
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Charting the Life Course is a great place to start! It is a person-centered framework of tools that can be used to plan for your child’s future!
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Modern Woodmen of America – Kristina Markiewcz specializes in helping families excel their financial path for the whole family by providing estate planning guidance, protections, and wealth management for purposes of legacy planning for disabled children. She also works closely with special needs attorneys to ensure families legal needs also match their financial and taxation forecasts. If interested in receiving these services, contact Kristina Markiewcz by sending her an email at kristina.markiewicz@mwarep.org
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Applying for services through OOD while your child is still in high school can help to prepare for post-secondary education and employment. OOD works together with students, families, schools/colleges, and community partners to provide services that promote successful transitions to careers and adult life. Video on how to apply for services: Getting Students 14+ Started with OOD
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Hamilton County DDS offers lifelong support for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. Once enrolled, they can connect you to providers, resources, and funding sources to achieve your child's goals.
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Most counties in Ohio have a board of developmental disabilities, which offers a broad range of resources, including support services, housing assistance, transportation, recreation, and other services. Find your local board, and get your child enrolled with them to receive access to services and resources as soon as possible.
Genesis at Work Tip
If your child needs it, make sure you find assistive technology before they turn 18. After turning the age of 18, there is less funding available to cover costs, and it can be very difficult to receive support in finding assistive technology.
Develop Executive Functioning and Soft Skills for Employment
This can be done in a variety of ways. This can be as simple as doing chores at home or getting a part-time summer job! There are also many programs in the Greater Cincinnati Area that can provide services aimed at preparing students in high school for life post-graduation. I have listed some below.
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Hamilton County Youth Employment Hamilton County Youth Employment provides year-round opportunities for employment, career exploration, professional development, and credentialing for Hamilton County youth ages 14-21. They also offer summer job opportunities.
Project Life Project life is designed to help provide support to transitioning students and their families.
Summer CEES – 6- week community- integrated summer program for high school students with IEPs, ages 14-22. Students will engage in internships, social curriculum, STEM curriculum, and will be supported with “near peer” staffing on campus at the University of Cincinnati.
CEES STEM Access – Inclusive programming for high school students with diverse needs to develop foundational skills necessary for STEM career pathways.
What other resources are available for my child and me?
Religious Resources
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