Change happens to us all throughout our lives. Some transitions are because of a choice we make, like from one job to another. Others transitions like ageing happens without us having a say in the matter. Some changes are not necessarily brought on by our choices or decisions, but by the society we live in like going from one grade to the next, or living at home to living on our own. Transition from school to post school is an occurrence in life that every young person attending a school will encounter should they complete their specialised or secondary education. Stewart (2013) suggest that developmental transition is part of a person’s natural life course and represent a time of change and adaptation within the person and his environment.
When a child is small and dependent on his/her parents it is a natural state, as parents we love, look after, feed, clothe, nurture, play with and teach our young children. That is how it is with your friends, family members and neighbours who have small children. When your child with an intellectual disability is a baby there is no difference in his or her dependency level compared to typical children their age. As they grow older this changes however. After 18 when their typical peers start venturing into the great big world this dependency is more evident than ever. Some of the issues that affect adolescents and adults with Down syndrome and their families include transition from school to workplace, employment, housing, sexuality and specific health conditions that are associated with Down syndrome.
While all of us handle change in our own way, major transitions often give rise to conflicting feelings, anxiety and stress. For example, we might look forward to new experiences, yet worry about the unknown. Taking adequate time to prepare and planning well are the best ways to alleviate the stresses that can accompany transition. The stress and conflicting feelings when it comes to transitions in the life of the person with Down syndrome the whole family is affected by these conflicting feelings, as the change in the life of the person with Down syndrome means a change in the family dynamics as well.
Tips for easing the stress of transitions:
WHAT WILL CHANGE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?
New Zealand views transition for young people with intellectual disabilities as a priority starting with the transition planning at the age of 14 years (Bennie, 2005). In South Africa we are not as fortunate yet as Transition Planning is not part of the School curriculum yet. This age represents the developmental stage of adolescence (Weiten, 1998) which in itself presents the child and parent with many challenges.
Introducing transition planning at the onset of adolescence could be beneficial in the sense that parent and child could form a close relationship while discussing future options. Starting on the transition plan early also means that there will be sufficient time to make adjustments if need be.
Many things will change for school leavers and their family members.
For the person with intellectual disability it could be things like:
For the family members it could be things like:
WHAT IS TRANSITION PLANNING?
Transition planning is looking towards the future of an individual and envisioning all the skills and preparations that will be needed to lead the most fulfilling life possible. Looked at in this way, all training and education received during childhood and adolescence are part of transition planning. At 14 it does not have to be very specific, it has to broadly look at the individuals needs and wants to develop his/her full potential in order to contribute to society and live a full life.
Transition planning should be a right that exists for all learners with disabilities. It is important that individuals with Down syndrome be as involved as possible in making decisions about their future. Transition goals should reflect a student’s interests, abilities and dreams, and the plan should outline specific objectives to help him or her achieve those goals. Successful transitioning will depend on a good understanding of the individual’s personal strengths and interests as well as knowledge of what options and services are available in his/her community.
WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME?
There is no easy answer to this question. Location and your financial means plays a big role in making use of the options available. There are opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities after school, most of these opportunities however, are available in or near bigger towns and cities. The other obstacles are cost and public transport or rather the lack thereof in South Africa as well as the safety of individuals making use of existing public transport.
The options available are skills training, working in a protected work environment or working in the open labour market – either supported or competitive. Today, there are more opportunities than ever before for individuals with Down syndrome to pursue goals, but it is still not enough and not accessible to all individuals with intellectual disability. The only option for many young adults when they finish school is to stay at home without the prospect of work. This should not be the end result for the individuals who want to work. For twelve years they were part of society, they learned skills, was part of a group, played sports, had friends and people besides their family contributing to their lives.
It is therefore important for individuals with Down syndrome and their families to begin thinking about one of the most important and probable most stressful transitions of all — the move from high school to life after high school. Rather start making plans earlier than later.
The period of time following high school graduation can present many challenges. But it can also be a time of excitement, productivity and great satisfaction. Planning for this transition from an early age can help the individual with Down syndrome mature into an adult who is as independent as possible. A well-developed transition plan ensures that the student has steps in place to reach his or her goals after high school.