Your Child’s Journey: An Ohio Guide for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Support

Understanding the Transition Process and the IEP

As your child grows up, their IEP (Individualized Education Program) will begin to focus on life after high school. This is called transition planning. By age 14, the IEP team will begin planning for your child’s future. It can start earlier if needed.

The transition plan includes:

  • Goals for after high school (college, job training, work, or independent living)
  • Classes and services to help reach those goals

Transition Assessments: Learning About Your Child

The school team will use Age-Appropriate Transition Assessments (AATA) to gather input from your child about:

  • What they enjoy (interests)
  • What they do well (strengths)
  • What support they might need (needs)
  • What they hope to do after high school (goals)

As you and your child’s team plan for this assessment, the Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment Planning Guide may be a helpful tool to consider all areas that impact your child’s future.

From this, the team will write Postsecondary Goals in three areas:

  1. Education or training
  2. Employment
  3. Independent living (if appropriate)

The IEP will also include:

  • Relevant coursework and learning experiences
  • Transition services and supports to build readiness

Considerations for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students

For deaf/hard of hearing students, the IEP team will also consider:

  • Preferred communication methods (ASL, spoken English, cued speech, etc.)
  • Access to interpreters, captioning, or assistive technology
  • Opportunities to build self-advocacy skills for communication access in postsecondary settings

🧭 Family Tip:

Some deaf or hard of hearing students may need extra help with reading, writing, or vocabulary due to earlier gaps in language access. If needed, include literacy goals in the IEP to strengthen these skills.

By 9th grade, the IEP team will create a Graduation Plan that:

  • Lists required courses and graduation options
  • Tracks your child’s progress each year
  • Helps avoid last-minute surprises

If your child is not on track to graduate, the school will update the plan and provide support, if needed.

One year before your child turns 18, the school will notify you that educational rights will transfer to your child at age 18.

This means your child will make their own IEP decisions unless:

  • They give someone permission to help, or
  • There is a guardianship or supported decision-making agreement in place

At 18, your child becomes a legal adult. They will:

  • Make decisions about their IEP
  • Approve or decline services
  • Sign forms and give (or withhold) consent

The IEP team will continue working with your child and supporting their goals—now with your child as the primary decision-maker.

When your child graduates or ages out of school, the IEP team will create a Summary of Performance. This includes:

  • A summary of academic and functional skills
  • Effective accommodations and supports
  • Suggestions to support your child’s goals after school

This summary can help your child apply for college accommodations, job training, or disability services.

Your child’s eligibility for special education will end when they turn 22. Some districts allow students who turn 22 during the school year to finish that year. Ask your school about local policies.

Transition planning through the IEP is about helping your child move from school to adult life with the support they need to reach their goals. The IEP team, your child, and your family work together to create a meaningful plan tailored to your child’s strengths and dreams.