Transition Plan

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Kevin

Kevin is an 17 year old young man with significant intellectual disabilities who is attending his neighborhood high school. Kevin is following his state’s Extended Content Standards which are aligned with the general curriculum Standard Course of Study. He receives daily instruction in Literacy (reading, writing, and communication), Math, and Science. Kevin also is involved in vocational and daily living skill training. His coursework is delivered in individual and small group settings in the special education classroom except for Digital Communications (a general education Career Technical Course) which he has taken (using a modified curriculum) with the assistance of a one-on-one instructional assistant. Kevin also participates in a school-based enterprise and an on-campus work placement in the school library. Kevin has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and uses a manual wheelchair for mobility which has been adapted with trunk support and subasis bar. He is able to use his right hand to manipulate larger items and can use his left hand for stabilization. Kevin receives physical therapy one time a week for 30 minutes and has ongoing therapy services in the classroom including positioning on adaptive equipment. He wears AFOs for stability when using a stander and a left hand-elbow mobilizer. Kevin’s physical therapist would like for him to have a motorized wheelchair but funds have not been available. Kevin also receives occupational therapy on a consultative basis. His teacher and the occupational therapist have been working on developing vocationally related jigs. Kevin has little intelligible speech other than single words and yes/no responses but within the classroom has used an iTalk2 to communicate simple needs and choices and is learning to use a GoTalk20+. He does not use an augmentative communication device at home but does have a picture board which transitions with him between school, the community, and home. Kevin receives speech therapy two times a week for 30 minutes each session. Kevin has generalized tonic-clonic seizures which are 85% controlled with two different anti-convulsant medications (Tegretol and Mysoline). He is fed through a gastrostomy tube although he is able to take some pureed foods by mouth in limited amounts. Kevin can feed himself by mouth using a CP Feeder but has to be closely monitored and reminded to eat slowly to avoid asphyxiation. Usually Kevin is only allowed to feed himself during special occasions such as a class party or special meal. The gastrostomy tube placement was primarily due to asphyxiation of food during meal times that resulted in recurrent upper respiratory infections. These URIs have greatly decreased since his surgery. A functional vision assessment has indicated that Kevin’s visual acuity with corrective lenses at near distances is 20/80 and at far distances is 20/100. His most effective visual field is slightly below eye level and he is able to localize to visual stimulus and fixate his gaze on objects and people as well as shift his gaze. Kevin does not like wearing his glasses but is cooperative most of the time. Kevin has good hearing. Kevin and his family plan for him to stay in the public schools until he ages out at age 21 which will provide him with three more years of services. He lives at home with mother, step-father, 11 year old sister, and a great aunt that helps with his care. Kevin also has one older brother who is in college. After receiving state level mental health funding for personal care and 10 hours of one-on-one community-based services for the last 4 fours, Kevin was recently approved for Medicaid waiver funded services. This funding source will provide Kevin with an array of services based on his individual needs including: augmentative communication devices, case management, one-on-one community and home support, personal care services, respite, specialized equipment and services and medical transportation. Funds will also be available for supported employment and day support after high school graduation. His school level transition planning team has consisted of: Kevin and his parents, a special education teacher, a CTE Special Populations Coordinator, Kevin’s case manager, a regular education teacher, Kevin’s one-on-one worker, and a LEA representative (e.g., school administrator or diagnostician). Kevin has not been referred for any services other than those he is receiving from Mental Health through the Developmental Disabilities division.

Kevin loves school and is always eager to learn new skills. He demonstrates a high level of motivation to please his teachers and his parents report that even when he is sick he begs to go to school. Everyone who knows Kevin feels that it would be beneficial for him to be involved in postsecondary education. His recently approved Medicaid waiver services will provide one-on-one ongoing daily and adult living skill training but participation in continuing or compensatory education classes at the local community college might be a good option for Kevin. This type of setting would allow Kevin to develop skills in some of his areas of interest as well as provide a social framework. Two of his classmates have moved into group homes and through classroom discussion and lessons on post-graduate residential options, Kevin appears to have some understanding of becoming an adult and living more independently, possibly away from his family. While at home, Kevin’s mother and great-aunt provide total physical care. Although

Kevin could assist with some personal hygiene tasks this is not an expectation for him while in the home. Other than insignificant type choices, all decisions are made for Kevin by his parents.

He goes into the community on occasion with his one-on-one worker when she is allowed to use the family wheelchair lift van. Kevin is able to sit in a car using a seatbelt and then be transferred into a Pogo Buggy for community outings but his parents prefer him not to be transported in that manner. This limits Kevin’s community-based learning activities. A great deal of Kevin’s one-on-one worker’s time is spent in the home with him. While at home Kevin enjoys watching DVDs, looking at books, listening to his I-Pod, watching his younger sister play video games, family meals, and making music on his electronic keyboard. Kevin’s has no understanding of money and does not provide input into his health/medical care. He has been covered under his father’s work insurance policy but his recent approval for a Medicaid waiver program will assist with medical care, equipment, and supplies. Kevin’s parents plan to work with his Mental Health case manager to obtain guardianship since Kevin has now turned 18 years of age. Kevin has never received SSI benefits.