| Are you the parent of a child in high school receiving | | | | areas of skill deficits, transition services, job skills and |
| special education services? Are you concerned that | | | | training, and/or related services they are not ready to |
| your child with autism is not receiving appropriate | | | | graduate. |
| transition services to be prepared for life after school? | | | | 4. Many states have developed a certificate of |
| Would you like to have more information about | | | | completion instead of giving children a regular high |
| graduation and special education? This article will give | | | | school diploma. The Individuals with Disabilities |
| you 5 things that you will need to know as a parent as | | | | Education Act (IDEA) states that special education |
| your child heads toward graduation. | | | | services end when a child receives a regular education |
| 1. A child with a disability has the right to be educated | | | | diploma. Services do not end if the child receives a |
| from the age of 3 until their 22nd birthday. Check your | | | | certificate of completion and still requires special |
| child's IEP if they are in high school and make sure that | | | | education services to benefit from their education. |
| the graduation date listed is up until your child's 22nd | | | | 5. 26 States in the USA have or are planning to have |
| birthday not sooner. | | | | high stake exit exams. This may affect your child's |
| 2. Special education personnel cannot graduate your | | | | ability to attend post school learning. Due to litigation |
| child just because they have enough credits. The law | | | | some states have offered waivers to children with |
| requires that special education personnel keep other | | | | disabilities. Check with your states department of |
| things in mind when determining a graduation date. My | | | | education to determine if they have high stake exit |
| son Shaun's school tried this trick on me and I did not | | | | exams. |
| bite, but successfully advocated against graduation, | | | | Many states do not have enough adult disability |
| because he still needed services. | | | | services for all of the people that need them. This is |
| 3. The definition of special education is: individually | | | | the reason that it is critical to have your child stay in |
| based education that prepares a student for post | | | | school as long as they can. Use this information to help |
| school learning, employment, independent living and | | | | your child receive the transition services they need so |
| financial self sufficiency. If a child continues to need | | | | that they will be prepared for post school learning, and |
| functional skills training, more academic learning, help in | | | | independent living. |