Transitioning to Adulthood for Special Needs Children

As you begin to consider the process of preparing your youth with I/DD for adulthood, here is list of things to discuss with your “almost adult”, your family and natural support system. Take care of the “easy stuff” first, so you have time to make good decisions. And don’t forget to celebrate how far you have come and the adventures yet to be… The first is the transition workbooks. After clicking the button, choose the “Oahu Transition Workbook” (brown color). The second is a transition checklist which are hot topics when transitioning your special needs child to adulthood.

Self Help for the Judiciary

This website walks you through filling legal documents for free. The following link is for Guardianship - Incapacitated Person for use in Hawaii. This was created by the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.

Other Tips

  • Save money in a special needs trust. It can be expensive but is not time sensitive.

  • Ask the school to “bring back” all the agencies to help the transition plan in the IEP.

  • Get help from DDD (Developmental Disabilities Division) from the State of Hawaii for your child.