Question:

NOTE: This e-mail was sent to Dru Saren, Ask a Specialist Behavior Specialist, who referred it to me due to its Transition focus.

Dru,

I attended your conference in San Francisco and I mentioned to you I was working with a Down Syndrome girl. We are now trying to make a strong program for her outside of the school setting. Do you have any suggestions for the type of services we should include? She is a delightful person with a great sense of humor. Because of the lack of intervention in the past, she has had some behavior issues that I have addressed as her behavior specialist. She is doing well in this area now, is working with a job coach (volunteer) at two sites, and is very successful. Please let me know of any suggestions you have to offer. Your input is greatly appreciated and respected.

Thanking you in advance,

Loretta
Program Behavioral Specialist

Answer:

Hi Loretta,

I am glad your student is doing better behaviorally and has two successful volunteer sites. She sounds like she is high school age so I will go with that premise. My question to you is, “What does your student want to do?” Is she interested in dancing, hiking, biking, gymnastics, or going to the movies with a peer? I often use a Transition Mapping activity to interview students about their interests, dreams, strengths, challenges, etc. to get information for student focused planning. This is where you should start. I have included examples of two Transition Planning Profiles that may work for you student. Other questions to ask your student and her family when planning community school activities are:

• Will the program or service increase her independence?
• How much support will she need to participate in the activity?
• Will the program or service increase her daily living and social skills?
• Are there barriers to participation, i.e., transportation, safety, etc.?

Since I do not know any specific information about your student, e.g., age, cognitive abilities, strengths, interests, or type of volunteer job, there are general services to consider. These resources/links will help you answer questions and locate information about activities that will lead to a better emotional well-being of your student.

Leisure resources:

• Northern California Special Olympics
  http://www.sonc.org/; find activities in your area at http://www.sonc.org/regions/region_findyour.html

• Buddy Walk: Established by the National Down Syndrome Society to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to celebrate October, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. http://www.buddywalk.org/

• Parks and Recreation Departments – locate the department nearest you at http://www.sayso.org/parks_and_recreation_departments.htm

Teen site :

Club National Down Syndrome Society (has links in the following areas):http://www.clubndss.org/

• Self-advocac
• Computer center (web safety)
• Health issues
• School and free time
• Independent living
• Stories from adolescents with Down Syndrome
• Safety in the community

 State and local resources:

• California Council on Developmental Disabilities at http://www.scdd.ca.gov/
  
• National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCHY) list of state agencies and organizations at http://nichcy.org/stateshe/ca.htm
  
• Easter Seals at http://bayarea.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=CABY_homepage

In addition, you and her family should read Transition to Adult Living: A Guide to Secondary Education at http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/sr/documents/transitiongde.pdf. This site highlights topics, links to other web sites of interest, and provides information, resources and support to parents, guardians and families of children with disabilities. You may order a free hard copy by contacting

CalSTAT/CIHS
Sonoma State University
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park , CA 94928-3609
Tel: (707) 849-2275
Fax: (707) 206-9176

I hope this information addressed your concerns. If not, contact me directly at http://www.askaspecialist.ca.gov/trans.htm.