Components of a Successful Transition

Once the goal of the transition process has been clearly defined by staff and parents, key participants identified and objectives to meet the goal developed, it is time to design an action plan. As mentioned, the components of the action plan are activities or events designed to meet the objectives.

Components of a successful transition plan will vary depending upon the individual needs of the participants and structure of the educational setting. However, the following basic components are necessary to every successful plan:

• Design goals, objectives and activities
• Collect, organize and share student information
• Develop a new or update the current IEP
• Identify program options
• Design student and parent involvement/activities
• Identify activities for sending program
• Identify activities for receiving program
• Prepare staff and identify training needs
• Develop a proposed timeline of activities
• Assign roles and responsibilities
• Review and evaluate the plan often

While the student with ASD and his or her individual needs guide the transition process, it should be kept in mind that the receiving staff have numerous responsibilities for all their students, not just the students with ASD. Here are some helpful hints to promote a positive and collaborative exchange:

• Avoid last-minute requests
• Share information in a timely manner
• Encourage input from all participants
• Stay open to new ideas
• Acknowledge existing expertise and experience
• Do not “overload” people with information (avoid narratives and reports, stick to the facts)
• Be flexible!

Selecting a format for sharing information that is user-friendly—maybe the one thing that makes a transition work for staff. IEPs are not user-friendly and do not provide a snapshot of who a student really is or what is most important for staff to know. Reports are too wordy and very often miss the point. Instead, if you can provide clear and succinct information in as few words as possible, you will become a transition pro!