A Timeline for Transitioning to Adulthood
Neurodiversity Night, May 31st 2025 Wrap-Up
Our first Neurodiversity Night in our expanded location did not disappoint!
Families, friends, and advocates gathered in our spacious Green Room (soon to be the Teen Space!) while children played joyfully in the next room. Mendo LEAP staff were onsite to supervise so parents could fully engage in the panel conversation. As the evening kicked off, everyone enjoyed hot and tasty pizza from Slam Dunk and mingled. Lots of folks stopped by the Path to Possibilities information table to say hi to Andrea and Chris and learn more about their services.
The main event was a highly informative talk from Erin Moynahan (translated by Fabiola Olimon) about transitioning to adulthood with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD). Alongside our outstanding bilingual interpreter, Erin shared her incredible resource guide, which was designed to help individuals understand how services for IDD young adults interact.
Click through the gallery for an English and Spanish version.
Erin spent the rest of the evening going over a detailed Transition Timeline to help IDD youth, their family members, and caregivers plan for the future. Time passed quickly as attendees engaged in lively conversation, shared heart stories, and asked plenty of excellent questions. While nothing can beat an in-person experience, we wanted to share Erin’s timeline for ages 12 to 18, plus information on her Parent Support Group where she will discuss ages 18-24. Scroll to the end for more information on her Parent Support Group, plus a few other helpful resources to keep the conversation going.
Transition Timeline
Ages 12-14: Early Preparation
Begin talking about the future: dreams, interests, goals
Teach self-awareness and basic self-advocacy
Encourage participation in IEP meetings
Introduce community activities and independence skills
Explore high school courses related to interests
Question to ask at this age:
“What interests and extracurriculars am I drawn to?”
Early preparation for adulthood is key. Now is the time to start talking about and exploring future interests, goals, and dreams. This is also a good time to start learning about self awareness and basic self-advocacy.
IDD youth may begin participating in their IEP meetings as young as 12 and it should be offered at age 14. A good working rule is “No meetings about me without me.” This is an excellent way to develop advocacy skills. This work should also be built into the IEP at 12, 13, or 14, so that students learn to advocate for their needs around other children, which will help them learn to stand up for themselves in the adult world.
Ages 14-16: Formal Transition Planning
Conduct age-appropriate transition assessments
Develop measurable postsecondary goals (education, employment, living arrangements)
Start a coordinated set of services/activities in the IEP
Refer to Regional Center (if not already involved)
Register with Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) if eligible
Explore work-based learning (volunteering, job shadowing)
Include functional life skills training in IEP if needed
Questions to ask at this age:
“What am I good at? What do I need help with?”
During this time, the school will start working on transition assessments. This is also an excellent time to firm up plans for future living arrangements. Are there plans to go away to college? Will I/my child be living alone, with family, or with a roommate? Will I/my child get a job? Overall, what is the plan? Naturally, plans will shift and change, but getting a clearer picture of what the future holds is a good start. The individual’s IEP should also reflect those goals.
At this time, you/your child should also be assigned a Transition Service Coordinator by the resource center. These coordinators play a crucial role in the transition from youth to adulthood.
Some IDD youth will be ready to enter the workforce between ages 15 and 16, usually through a program like WorkAbility. The goal of working at this age is to develop essential job skills like time management, problem solving, teamwork, professionalism, and communication. Good places to start in finding a job are with the Department of Rehabilitation and your child’s high school office.
Ages 16-18: Build Skills & Agency Links
Continue refining IEP transition goals
Identify adult service agencies and initiate referrals
Teach job skills, interview prep, and resume building
Practice travel training and community navigation
Start benefits planning (SSI/SSDI, Medi-Cal)
Teach self-management of medications and health appointments
Question to ask at this age:
“What can I start doing for myself or by myself?”
On the cusp of legal adulthood, IDD youth should start practicing functional life skills. Things to start doing independently include:
Making medical appointments
Discussing concerns with the doctor
Managing medications independently
Accessing the community independently (e.g. riding the bus alone)
Ages 16-18 are all about building skills to be independent as possible
Now is also the time to get down to business on your/your child’s transitional IEP goals. Caregivers: if appropriate, challenge your child on their skills. It’s especially important to focus on job and interview skills, resume-building, and training to work.
At age 17.5, it’s time to apply for Social Security benefits. Erin noted that Social Security often denies SSDI benefits, and that individuals sometimes have to apply as many as three times to be approved. In this case, it helps to be prepared so keep detailed records for as long as you can. Come prepared to the meeting with past/current assessments, medical records, IEP’s, and IPP’s.
Ages 18 and Beyond…
Want more? Our conversation took us over time, so Erin will be going over points for ages 18-22 and ages 22-24 in her bimonthly Parent Support Group on Zoom this Wednesday, June 4th, from 5:30–6:30.
Click images to enlarge
The group also meets in person every 3rd Wednesday of the month at First 5 in Ukiah, CA.
Don’t forget, Neurodiversity Night is the last Saturday of every month, and admission is FREE for RCRC families.
We hope to see you in June!
