What Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Actually Need as They Exit High School

For students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), graduation is more than just a ceremony, it’s a major life transition. While their peers may head to college or enter the workforce, many young adults with IDD face an unclear path forward. Despite well-intentioned transition plans in school, too many students leave high school unprepared for the realities of adulthood. So, what do students with IDD really need as they make this critical shift? The answer is more than just a diploma. They need hands-on experience, community connections, life skills, and a plan.

1. Work-Based Learning Opportunities

Employment is one of the most important factors in leading an independent and meaningful life. But many students with IDD graduate without ever having held a job or participated in a work-based learning experience.

What they need:

• Supported internships or job shadowing

• Skills training programs focused on real employment

• Partnerships with local businesses

• Coaching in soft skills like communication and teamwork

2. Functional Life Skills

Graduating high school is only part of the equation. Students also need to manage daily living skills like cooking, budgeting, using public transportation, and navigating medical or social services.

What they need:

• Community-based instruction in real-life settings

• Practice managing money, making appointments, and handling responsibilities

• Opportunities to make decisions and solve problems independently

3. Clear Pathways to Adult Services

After high school, many students qualify for support through agencies like Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) or Medicaid waivers, but often these services aren’t accessed until months or years later.

What they need:

• Early referrals and support navigating adult systems

• Clear communication between school districts and adult service providers

• Family training on how to advocate for services after graduation

4. Strong Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination Skills

Students need to be able to speak up for themselves, make informed choices, and direct their own lives - skills that don’t automatically develop without practice and support.

What they need:

• Opportunities to express preferences and make decisions

• Training in self-advocacy, goal setting, and rights education

5. Inclusive Post-School Options

Too often, students with IDD are funneled into adult day programs that don’t offer opportunities for growth. True inclusion means access to college programs, meaningful employment, volunteer opportunities, and continued learning.

What they need:

• Inclusive higher education programs or vocational training

• Support finding jobs that align with their interests and strengths

• Flexible options that recognize diverse paths to success

6. A Supportive Community

The transition to adulthood doesn’t happen in isolation. Students need a network of people who believe in them, support them, and create opportunities for inclusion.

What they need:

• Supportive families, educators, and mentors

• Community members who hire, include, and welcome them

• Programs like BrightSteps that bridge the gap between school and adulthood

Graduating from high school should open the door to opportunity, not leave students and families wondering what’s next. With the right supports in place, young adults with IDD can build fulfilling lives filled with purpose, independence, and connection. It’s time we listen to what they truly need, and build systems that support their success beyond the classroom.