Here are some of the stories from parents, students, teacher, and administrators who wish to share their Transition experiences here in Wisconsin.

6/2/10 - Director of Day Service

I find it very enlightening to see there are individuals offering such information to parents and families with special needs individuals in their mix. The number one complaint from families that I often hear is that they don't know the resources that are available to them until they ask about them. Being able to refer families to this site and organizations like TAC is a wonderful thing to be able to do! Thank you!!

12/14/09 - Nancy - Parent and past president of ASW

My autistic son, Matt Ward, is now 31 years old. He is "gloriously autistic" rather than Aspergerian since he has always struggled with communication. However, due to great efforts by him and his teachers (and administrative oversight from me with lots of help from those in the autism community), he is now a college graduate working 3 part time jobs and living independently. Even though there were many challenges and problems to deal with all through his years of schooling (he graduated from the UW in Madison with a math degree when he was 26), they were nothing compared to the struggle to find him appropriate employment. Even though he is a math whiz (he still does calculus for "fun"), his struggles to communicate made it impossible for him to look for work on his own and severely limited his employment options. I assembled a team to help in his job search and it took 5 years and NUMEROUS dead ends before we finally arrived at his current situation of 3 part-time jobs that total 20 hours a week. We originally thought we were looking for one job for him. The big Aha for us was that the 3 part-time jobs are actually a better fit because they expand his social contacts and insulate him from job loss. His entire life structure is built around his jobs so if he loses a job, he still has 2 left to maintain his daily structure at least for part of the week. We don't know what additional challenges the future holds for him, but for now he is content and happy and proud of all he has accomplished. I couldn't ask for more for him. My advice for other parents of those with disabilities is "Never underestimate what your children can accomplish!" If someone had told me when he was 11 where my son would be in 20 years, I would have truly thought they were delusional. Take it one day, one hour, one step at a time. Look back and see how far you and your child have already come - celebrate the success!

10/2/09 - Michelle - Teacher/Parent

I am a teacher and a parent of special education. My 15 year old daughter is a gorgeous gal with a great personality and humor. After reading some of the goals it really opened my eyes what our daughter could do after high school. As a teacher I am part of a brand new transition program. We are taking day by day. I have two students in an apartment on the school campus. This helped me with writing up IEP's.

7/13/07 - you do iz besz

Hello Looks good! Very useful, good stuff. Good resources here. Thanks much! Bye

7/6/07 - Goodluck

Hello I am Lucy, I have found your website while searching for some info at Google. Your site has helped me in a big way. G'night

3/7/06 - parent

My son Andrew was diagnosed with Autism at age 7, ending years of non-diagnosis and mis-diagnosis. Finally we had a direction and a way to understand his unusual behaviors. Andrew's transition into kindergarten had not been a success, since he had no support and we had no knowledge. As the years went by, we learned strategies, adaptations, and coping skills. Andrew grew up, both chronologically and academically. Andrew learned how to recognize his mounting stress and anxiety and figured out how to cope before he would "melt down". Transition to new school buildings were incredibly difficult but also were learning experiences. By senior year, Andrew was unsupported, mainstreamed and getting mostly A's. Wow, we thought we were all set. Last August, we packed up the van and drove Andrew off to college. We were excited but scared, worried, and sad. We felt prepared; Andrew had spent a week at UW-Whitwater's transition summer camp for 2 summers. He'd had a job, had a driver's license and self-advocacy skills. I wish this story had a happy ending right now, but it's an ongoing story. Andrew stopped taking his meds, became profoundly depressed and fell apart about half way through his first semester. He's home getting his mental, physical, and emotional health back. He's planning to return to college (and they're looking forward to having him return) for the fall semester.

2/17/06 - Information & Referral Specialist

I came as a community provider and also as a parent. This was the third year that I've attended the WSTI conference, so I decided to bring my teenaged daughter with me. Several people reached out of their comfort zones to assist me with my daughter during times when I really needed it! I felt very welcomed because of those generous souls. While I don't think I would try this again (bringing her with), it was a wonderful experience. Thanks to those of you who came to our aid!

2/7/06 - Jean - I am a Parent

The care that our son's teacher is providing, and the IEP Meeting and overall process, is so much better in Wisconsin than where we moved from. We feel involved and supported. Thank you.

2/7/06 - Mark - Special Education Director

The Transition Plan gave us direction for our improvements

2/5/06 - Special Education Teacher in a local district

The Checklist Review Training allowed me to gain a better understanding of what information was required for the IEP forms (state forms)

Share your own WSTI Transition story here.