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Navigate Life Texas: Resources for kids with disabilities and special needs
Navigate Life Texas: Resources for kids with disabilities and special needs
February 4, 2016 | By: Kelly Mastin
Categories: Transition to Adulthood
It is time to think about the future and time to plan. Whether your child is four years old or twenty-four years old, the time is now. Don’t put it off—don’t delay.
Planning for the future is vital for each of us. But it’s even more important to plan for the future of your child with a disability.
It may require support and deliberate training. It may require funding of some kind or companionship and relationships that need to be nurtured. The future may entail job training and coaching or it may require skills that need to be taught.
The sessions offered at A Look Ahead Conference Series will help parents think about the future. This powerful transition conference series will help parents know what is possible. Parents will learn what to do now for their child’s future.
The series is a quarterly conference that takes place at First United Methodist Church of Arlington. It is a partnership of FEAT-NT, CommunityNow! , FUMC Arlington, and The ArcNETC. The conference is free for families and professionals. The conference is on a Saturday and offers breakout sessions in the morning and in the afternoon. The presenters are chosen to talk about key topics of interest to families.
The conference features a panel of adults with disabilities. Parents learn a lot from the panelists about what life is really like for them. The panelists share their successes, their struggles, and their needed supports. Sometimes the conference hosts panels of parents that speak about their experiences with transition as well.
Parents leave the conference armed with inspiration and encouragement to take the next steps toward a successful adult life for their child. Parents and professionals talk about what a difference the sessions have on their thinking and how they will support their child. It is fair to say that A Look Ahead Conference Series is changing lives. Be sure to register for the next conferences. Find details and dates here. Also be sure to check out our Find Services, Groups and Events page for more events in our area.
As a parent of an older son with disabilities, I have struggled with his education in math and reading for most of his school career. As parents, we sometimes have unrealistic goals for our children. However, at some point, we must pause and think about the future.
Categories: Transition to Adulthood
Today, people with disabilities have more options than ever before. They can attend college, go to work and live independently. But they need a good start through school and community experiences. As a hands-on and informed parent, you can help your child gain the skills they need for self-determination.
Categories: Transition to Adulthood
In Texas, when a child with a disability turns 14, they should begin attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings with their parents. It’s the time to create a Transition Plan for life after high school.
Categories: Transition to Adulthood