Transition to Adulthood Planning Worksheet for Families with Disabilities

A step-by-step worksheet to help families prepare for age 18 and beyond.

When a child with disabilities approaches adulthood, families are suddenly expected to navigate:

  • SSI and Medicaid

  • guardianship and supported decision-making

  • adult services and waiver programs

  • education transitions

  • housing options

  • long-term financial planning

Most families are never given a roadmap.

The Transition to Adulthood Planning Worksheet was created to help parents organize the moving pieces, identify next steps, and reduce the overwhelm that often comes with preparing for adulthood.

What’s included in the worksheet

This comprehensive planning worksheet helps families track and organize:

Legal Decision-Making Planning

  • Guardianship considerations

  • Supported decision-making options

  • Power of attorney documents

Government Benefits & Medicaid Planning

  • Considerations for applying for SSI

  • Medicaid and waiver program planning

  • Benefits eligibility considerations

Financial & Special Needs Planning

  • ABLE account planning

  • Special Needs Trust coordination

  • Long-term financial planning considerations

Education & Adult Services Transition

  • Educational records access tips

  • Adult services planning

  • Residential and employment support preparation

Who this worksheet is for

This worksheet is designed for:

  • parents of teens with disabilities

  • autism families preparing for adulthood

  • families navigating SSI and Medicaid planning

  • caregivers supporting young adults with special needs

  • parents who feel overwhelmed by transition planning

Whether your child is 14 or approaching 18, starting early can help families make more informed and less reactive decisions.

Why families use this worksheet

Families often tell us they feel:

  • overwhelmed by the transition process

  • unsure where to start

  • worried about missing important deadlines

  • confused about benefits and legal options

This worksheet helps create structure and clarity so families can move forward one step at a time.

Because transition planning should not feel like navigating a maze alone.

Download the Transition to Adulthood Planning Worksheet

We respect your privacy. No spam ever.