IATF: Transition Sub-Committee Survey 2023

The Illinois Autism Task Force (IATF) Transition sub-committee is seeking parents/guardians feedback on their understanding of the high school (Secondary) transition process. The survey is designed for parents/guardians of children with autism (all ages-young adults) who have an IEP.

The Autism Transition Subcommittee is conducting this survey to assess parent/family knowledge when it comes to understanding services available for the autism population leading up to and during their high school transition years. By gaining understanding of this, the IATF as well as autism-based service entities and schools can target their messaging and parent education to better guide parents, students, and families with the goal of improving student success after high school.

This Survey makes no distinction between educational classification of autism or medical diagnosis, all are encouraged to complete the survey.

The Illinois Autism Task Force:

Public Act 93-773 (2004) established the Illinois Autism Task Force (IATF) under the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) as a means of addressing issues presented by the growing number of children and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The task force provides information and recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Human Services to best serve individuals with autism in Illinois.

Transition Terms:

Transition or Transition Process or Planning refers to the process a student with a disability goes through as they move from high school to their next phase in life, including postsecondary education, employment, and independent living.

Transition years in Illinois begin at age 14 1/2 and continues to age 22.

"Transition services" or "Transition planning" IDEA 2004 defines the term as a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that:

• Is a results -oriented process, focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child's movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment, supported employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation.
• Is based on the individual child's needs and includes the child's strengths.
• Includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

IATF Transition Sub-Committee Survey 2023, If you have more than one child with an IEP you may either fill out survey for one child in mind or fill out separate survey for each child.

1. Are you a parent/guardian of a student with Autism: Yes No

2. At the time of completing this survey, what grade level is your child with an IEP: Elementary (K-5) Middle School (6-8) High School (9-12) College/Vocational or Technical School Over 22 years old, not in school or employed

3. As a parent/guardian of a student with unique needs, prior to reading this survey did you know that transition planning (see definition in the introduction) is a required part of your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) starting at age 14 1/2: Yes No

4. Have you been informed that your child received or should receive an age-appropriate transition assessment as part of the transition planning process: Yes No

5. Have you been made aware of what services and/or supports are available to individuals under the transition planning process: Yes No

6. Is your child aware that they have a transition process/plan: Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

7. As a parent do you know who the required members of the IEP/Transition team should be: Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

8. Do you know who your contact is at the school to provide you with information on transitional services/resources: Yes No

9. Are you aware of what additional community supports/resources are available for your child in the community: Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

10. Are you familiar with the Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) role during the transition years: Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

11. Did you know that a Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Counselor can be invited to participate in the transition planning meeting: Yes No

12. Are you aware that your child should be attending their IEP/transition planning meetings (If deemed appropriate and/or beneficial): Yes No

13. Do you know what steps are taken to prepare your child to be an active part of their transition planning: Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

14. Of the following, please select the programs you have been made aware of and/or given information for services at your IEP. (Select all that apply):

• Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD)
• Priority of Needs (PUNS) through the Division of Developmental Disabilities
• Pre-Admission Screening (PAS)/Independent Service Coordination Agency (ISC)
• Vocational Rehabilitation Case Management/Counseling, through the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)
• Division of Mental Health (DMH) Screening Assessment Support Services (SASS)
• Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)
• Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)
• Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Accounts
• Medicare/Medicaid

15. Are you aware both the parent/guardian and the student are to receive written notification about the "Delegation of Rights" for educational purposes at the student's IEP meeting convened during the school year in which the student turns 17 years of age? (Delegation of rights for educational purposes allows the parent and student to determine if the parent will continue to make or assist in making educational decisions for their child): Yes No

16. Following up on the previous question, are you aware at age 18 both the parent/guardian and the student shall receive written notification for signature for the "Delegation of Rights" for educational purpose: Yes No

17. During transition planning have you been made aware of the Adult Services Programs in your area: Yes No Does not apply

18. Are you aware that a Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) counselor is provided at each Illinois State University: Yes No

19. Are you aware that colleges can offer students with disabilities accommodations when self-disclosing their disability and requesting support(s)? (Many colleges require documentation of student's disability).: Yes No

20. As a student who is a Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) client, are you aware DRS will help the family navigate college programming including educational goals, employment goals, and financial analysis: Yes No Does not apply

21. When was your child's transition plan started: Middle School (6-8) At 14.5 years Sophomore Junior Senior Not started Do not know

22. Is your child aware of their needs, understand their diagnosis, and what supports they will require as they move to post-school living: Yes No

23. Does your child have the self-advocacy skills to know what to ask for, if needed, during their transition planning process: Yes No

24. Has your child been assessed for work readiness and preparedness by the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)?: Yes No Not sure

25. What county do you reside in: Adams Alexander Bond Boone Brown Bureau Calhoun Carroll Cass Champaign Christian Clark Clay Clinton Coles Cook Crawford Cumberland DeKalb DeWitt Douglas DuPage Edgar Edwards Effingham Fayette Ford Franklin Fulton Gallatin Greene Grundy Hamilton Hancock Hardin Henderson Henry Iroquois Jackson Jasper Jefferson Jersey Jo Daviess Johnson Kane Kankakee Kendall Knox Lake LaSalle Lawrence Lee Livingston Logan Macon Macoupin Madison Marion Marshall Mason Massac McDonough McHenry McLean Menard Mercer Monroe Montgomery Morgan Moultrie Ogle Peoria Perry Piatt Pike Pope Pulaski Putnam Randolph Richland Rock Island Saline Sangamon Schuyler Scott Shelby St. Clair Stark Stephenson Tazewell Union Vermilion Wabash Warren Washington Wayne White Whiteside Will Williamson Winnebago Woodford

26. Race and Ethnicity Please select all that apply:

• African American/Black
• Arab American
• Asian American & Pacific Islander
• Hispanic or Latina/o/x
• Native American/American Indian
• White/Caucasian
• Other
• Not Identified
• Prefer not to Disclose

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. This information is very helpful for our Autism Transition Sub-committee to continue to provide the necessary information and resources to our families.

The following information is Optional

27. Zip code:

Your personal information will not be shared with anyone.