Transitions
Sharing the dream – planning the path ahead
This week as our education campaign draws to a close, we have started to think about transitions – this might be a transition to starting school, a transition from one school to another, or transitioning from education to adulthood and employment or social care.
Whichever transition it is you are planning for, it is important to start early. These processes always take longer than you think, as they tend to involve a wide range of people. Co-ordinating diaries and arranging meetings can take a long time. Ideally someone from the setting you are transitioning from or to will take on the responsibility for co-ordinating the transition process so that the learner who has Down’s syndrome and their parents are not having to co-ordinate the paperwork and meetings.
It is important that children and young people who have Down’s syndrome can be as involved as possible in decision making processes too. Transition goals should reflect their interests, abilities, and hopes for the future. Their individual transition plan should outline specific objectives to help them achieve those goals.
In our resources below, we have attempted to cover a range of transition scenarios, to provide useful tips and strategies for transition planning. If, however, you would like some individual advice, please do not hesitate to contact the DSA Information Team on 0333 121 2300 (10am-4pm) or by email on info@downs-syndrome.org.uk. They would be very happy to help you.