Life after 18:
Transition planning for youth with disabilities
On June 8, we were delighted to welcome over 70 guests to the EMSB to address the concerns that parents, teachers and caregivers are facing when it comes time for their children with special needs to transition from the support of the education sector into adult life.
This free seminar aimed to redefine what is possible for people with disabilities, providing educational support and resources for families of children with special needs between the ages of 12 to 22 and beyond.
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| Nathan Liebowitz |
The seminar included a presentation by Nathan Leibowitz, senior investment advisor with Manulife Securities, who informed about financial, legal matters, and government benefits that are available to families.
Leibowitz provided a wealth of information, such as answers to questions such as who will take care of my child after I am gone, and what money will be available for my child to live, public curatorship, and disability tax credits.
Linda Mastroianni, Life Coach and founder of Speaking Autism spoke about the importance of transition planning. "Young adults with special needs require different support and resources than their neurotypical peers. Securing the righ support for them requires proper planning," she shared. "A transition plan will also help prepare the
youth for the changes and opportunities that lie ahead."
A transition plan will include: helping the youth identify their likes, skills and develop these abilities during their school years; help identify opportunities while setting short and long term goals; detailing and implementing strategies to achieve these goals; and ensuring the individual secures the right support. Transition planning should begin a few years prior to the individual leaving school, usually between the ages of 14 and 15.
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| Linda Mastroianni |
Key individuals that Mastroianni recommends be involved in the planning are teachers, principals, resource teacher, child care worker, therapists such as speech language, occupational or psychotherapists, etc., parents and caregivers, and their health and community workers such as CLSC, CRDI, CSSS, rehab centres. The plan will integrate everything from transportation to self-care, socializing, sports and leisure, and housing.
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| Jacques Monfette |
Jacques Monfette, principal of Marymount Adult Education Centre in Cote Saint-Luc, spoke about the programs that are available for adult students with special needs at the centre, including Social Integration Services (SIS) and the Social Vocational Integration Services (SVIS) programs. In addition, the school houses a collaborative program between the EMSB and Giant Steps School for students with autism, and the C.A.R.E. Centre for people with physical disabilities.
Monfette stated: "In education we tend to forget something very important. It's called happiness. Many of our students have gone from failure to failure to failure. We try to find something that will make them happy and change this cycle." Galileo Adult Centre also has SIS and SVIS programs, as will John F. Kennedy
in the coming school year. Consult the EMSB website to see more adult and vocational centre
options.
To round off a most informative evening, social workers Natalie Correia and Alexandra Leblanc Etienne, from CSSS de la Pointe-de-l'Ile, Equipe DI-TED, spoke about the multitude of resources available to families to access through their CSSS, CLSC or CRDI, to help navigate through the transition years.
Natalie Correia and Alexandra Leblanc Etienne
Special thanks to Marla Vineberg for bringing this seminar to Inspirations and the EMSB and organizing the seminar, and Pina Evangelista, TEVA (Transition école vie active) Consultant, Student Services Department, EMSB for her support in planning the event.
Guests had the opportunity to visit exhibitors prior to the seminar including representatives from Action Main-D'oeuvre, I Can Dream Theatre, The Big Blue Hug, and Inspirations.
Read our Spring / Summer 2016 print edition at http://www.
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