When should we talk about post secondary transition?
When Should We Talk About Postsecondary Transition in an IEP?
A better question might be: why aren’t we talking about it sooner?
Let’s say the word transition shows up at your IEP meeting. Cue the awkward silence, someone checks the age, and then someone else says, “We’ll get to that later.”
But here’s the thing—later might be too late.
Yes, the law requires transition planning by age 16, but the conversation about a child’s future? That can (and should) start much earlier. Think: preschool, kindergarten, elementary school. And no, I haven’t lost my mind.
What Does the IDEA Say?
According to the IDEA, transition services must be included in the IEP by the time the student turns 16. Some states (like Colorado) start earlier, but IDEA sets the start of this process at 16.
What’s required at that point?
Measurable postsecondary goals (education/training, employment, and independent living if appropriate)
Transition services to help the student reach those goals
Age-appropriate assessments to guide the planning
But that’s just the legal requirement. Not necessarily the best practice.
So When Should We Start Talking About the Future?
Short answer: now.
Long answer: as soon as a child begins to engage with the world in ways that give us clues about their interests, strengths, and needs—which is always happening.
Because “transition” isn’t just a form or a meeting. It’s not just a section of an IEP. It’s a mindset:
How are we preparing this child to live as fully and independently as possible, in ways that are meaningful to them?
Let’s break it down by age:
In Preschool & Early Elementary: Planting Seeds
Observe what your child loves. Is it lining up blocks, helping clean up, pretending to cook, or building things?
Practice tiny life skills: zipping a jacket, throwing away trash, asking for help.
Play with language around jobs, community helpers, and possibilities.
💡 IEP Tip: Early IEPs can include goals that build pre-vocational or daily living readiness skills—without calling them that. Self-help, following routines, initiating tasks? That’s transition groundwork.
In Elementary & Middle School: Exploring Possibilities
Expose your child to a wide range of environments: stores, parks, libraries, farms, museums. Every outing is data.
Watch what lights them up (and what shuts them down).
Talk casually about adult life—where people work, how they get places, what daily life looks like.
💡 IEP Tip: By middle school, you can start building more intentional goals around self-determination, problem-solving, asking for help, or navigating social settings. These are huge for later success.
In High School: Making the Map
Now we’re fully into formal transition planning—and ideally, not for the first time.
Use assessments (formal and informal) to shape real postsecondary goals.
Explore job shadows, pre-employment services, independent living training, or community-based learning.
Get the student in the room and at the table—their voice is central here.
💡 IEP Tip: Transition goals should reflect the student’s actual interests and abilities—not just what the school offers. There should be real connections between the IEP and future your child is designing for themselves.
Why Early Conversation Matters
Because the future is not a surprise party.
If we wait until 16 to start talking about the “real world,” we’re expecting teens—many with disabilities that affect executive functioning, social skills, or adaptability—to make huge life decisions without a warm-up round.
Early conversations help:
Build confidence and communication
Normalize thinking about adulthood
Reduce anxiety—for both students and parents
Guide IEP teams toward more holistic and meaningful goals
Final Thoughts
If you're a parent wondering when to start talking about your child's future, the answer is: anytime you’re ready. Don’t wait for a checkbox on a form.
And if you're an educator or advocate, you can help families see that transition isn't just a moment—it’s a thread that can be woven through the entire educational journey.
Need help figuring out what that could look like for your child? I’d love to connect and support your journey.
Always Walking With You…….Abbey