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Answer:
Dear Worried Mom,
Wow! Now the challenge is on to prove the "expert" status you have bestowed
upon me!
Usually the question from parents is, "What will my child do after high
school?" I think your focus on how YOU can HELP your daughter develop
realistic plans is very appropriate considering your daughter's age. There
are numerous books and articles on the subject that you can access through
a web site at the end of my response, but for now, let me offer a few
planning tips for you and the district.
Number one priority, as I see it, is home and school collaboration. This
includes developing an IEP/ITP (Individual Transition Plan) that is driven
by your daughter's dreams, preferences, and abilities as a key to her
success after high school. It may mean accepting and valuing your daughter's
dream(s)/goals and helping her explore work related options. One web site
that many parents have found useful is http://www.cde.ca.gov/spbranch/sed/trnsgde.pdf.
This is a student, parent, school, and agency reader friendly document
with great suggestions.
Ok. This is how you can work with the district. Now, the important thing
is to make the quest of helping your daughter develop realistic plans,
FUN (caps/bold). We all know teens will do the opposite of what parents
suggest, so, consider actively involving her in the discovery process.
Here are some beginning steps.
- Listen to and value your daughter's opinions
without being judgemental. You may even need to humor her.
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- Explore her interests in art and fashion by finding
out what options are available through school or outside agencies,
e.g., school fashion academy, Regional Occupational Programs (ROP),
visiting a fashion design school. Use the Internet to discover
additional ideas.
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- Make phone calls to friends and ask if your daughter
can shadow them at work or if they know someone in the art or
fashion industry. Help her develop interview questions and arrange
on site interviews with various staff in her related field. Perhaps
the entire family can role-play with her.
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- Contact her teachers and make sure they are addressing
her interests in her Transition IEP. Ask HOW and WHAT is happening
to make this happen so you understand who may be involved in helping
your daughter explore vocational options and how they are involved.
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- Help your daughter learn about her disability
and explore the impact it may have in a career in the fashion
world. You can educate yourself at the same time by becoming aware
of the job accommodations helpful to people with similar disabilities
as your daughter's.
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- Give her responsibilities for chores at home
and help her develop simple budgeting strategies (purchasing make-up,
clothes, etc.) The newspaper or magazines offer excellent media
advertising the allows the two of you to discover the costs of
items, prioritize necessary vs. unnecessary purchases, and figuring
amount of money needed to purchase make up or clothing.
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You ask what the school can do to help your daughter.
Actually, the school can offer many of the ideas I have shared with you.
In addition, schools can teach students about their civil rights under
the law and provide your daughter with step-by-step activities that teaches
her empowerment and active participation in planning for achieving future
realistic goals.
Between the school and you, your daughter should be prepared for post-secondary
endeavors. You may also want to view a previous Transition question in
the Ask a Specialist archives at
You will find additional information regarding career
exploration, self-awareness, and decision making, much of which can be
shared with your daughter.
Good luck!
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