Transitions can work very smoothly for children using AT when certain factors are planned and in place. During the AT Assessment process, IFSP teams should think about how AT will be used immediately as well as in the future.
AT can play an integral role in the early childhood transition process. A child transitioning into the school system with an IFSP should have documentation of consideration and use of AT as a strategy to achieve functional outcomes that can be transferred to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) at the public school. IDEA explains that six months before the child turns three, the team members working with the child and his/her family are required to meet with the Local Education Agency (LEA) to discuss the upcoming transition. At this time, it is important to reconsider the child’s need for AT. Discuss with the family and support personnel what devices and services may benefit the child as he/she may be transitioning to a new environment where activities and routines are different. There are many pieces of AT that children may need between the ages of birth to three that would continue to benefit them as they transition at the age of three.
34 CFR 303.209
c. Conference to discuss services. The State lead agency must ensure that—
(1) If a toddler with a disability may be eligible for preschool services under Part B of the Act, the lead agency, with the approval of the family of the toddler, convenes a conference, among the lead agency, the family, and the LEA not fewer than 90 days- and, at the discretion of all parties, not more than 9 months- before the toddler's third birthday to discuss any services the toddler may receive under Part B of the Act.
