How to Prepare for Transition
Transition is a very important process for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. In order to prepare for the transitioning process I will need to look at all of my resources and try to see what may be the best choice for my student. I will make sure I get input from the parents and the student. I will use the many resources available to me and let the student look through resources as well to see what they may want to do with their future. There are many resources out there that we can use with our students to help them learn more about their transitioning process and what it will include. We need to make sure we set realistic goals for the students and discuss the goals to determine if they are appropriate for the student and how they will go about achieving them. Overall, it will be important to look at the transitioning process as a team and work through it together and make sure all the necessary steps are being taken in order to ensure a smooth transition.
What is important for students to learn as they prepare to graduate?
It is important that students learn what all of their options are after graduation. It could be transitioning into further education or into a working position. They will need to know what work is involved with each option and what they will have to do in order to transition into the next stage in their lives. They will need to know that is expected of them. It is important that they are educated on what they need to know in order to be successful in their future wherever it may be. They need to know the transition is for them and about them so they need to be actively involved in the process and voicing their opinions on what they want out of their transition.
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI really like how you mentioned that the goals we help them set for themselves need to be realistic. I don't think there is anything worse than helping a child set a goal that you know is not realistic. It is just setting the child and parents up for failure, which is the OPPOSITE of our job! :) I also like that you mentioned that they need to be actively involved in the process of planning their transition. I wonder what we would do if the child has no interest in being involved... That would be a tough position for us to be in. We would probably have to start teaching the student why we work or go to college and make it meaningful to them. I think it is really important for them to be involved from the beginning though because the transition is all about what they want to do with their life! I think this could be one of the most exciting things we help our students with. It will be so inspiring to help our students set and reach their goals and go on to be as successful as possible in whatever path they choose!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Caitlyn