Transition+to+Employment


 * Transition to Employment...**


 * Explore Your Options to Employment:**

The first step in thinking about future jobs is to consider the different employment possibilities in your community as well as surrounding communities. It is imperative that you keep in mind your child’s interest, abilities, strengths, interests, and needs. You can begin by writing down the responsibilities and interests that your child has at home, in school, and in the community. Those skills can help lead to a bright career.


 * You can talk to your child about the following and how they relate to their future employment:**

Interpersonal skills: attitude, cooperation, teamwork, and communication skills. Look at how your child interacts at home with family and friends, with people in the community that he/she might or might not know, with peers and adults at school. What are his/her strengths and what can he/she continue to work on? Perceptual skills: ability to remember and follow instructions and procedures, ability to plan organize, and improve with practice. Look at how your child performs in school, on a sports team, and volunteering in the community. Is your child a leader or a follower? Does your child wait until the last minute to get things done or does he/she plan ahead of time. What can you work on with your child to improve his/her weaknesses and continue to build upon his/her strengths. time management (how does your child handle his/her time?) supports needed (What family/friends supports are needed now on a daily basis to help your child throughout the day?) what kind of classes does your child take an interest in now (Explore what careers are related to those classes) what is your child good at (What careers relate to these strengths) what is your child’s disability (How does it effect daily life and what strategies are in place to help him/her with this disability?

Discussing these topics and planning for the future will not happen overnight. Continue to talk to your child, his/her teachers to get their input along with the guidance counselor and transition coordinator. If you work with an agency ask for their assistance to help make a complete support circle for your child.