Re: figuring out what goals to set with students, Tom Woods wrote:

I made up a self assessment that asks them about where they stand in
various aspects of life. For instance, they may tell me they have a
place to live but when I ask for their mailing address they can't give
one. Hopefully the question will get them thinking about where will they
actually be staying. I ask about their immediate needs... Will they have a
drivers license...how will they transport themselves to the grocery store,
to work, to the doctors office...  What hobbies do you have? How much spare
time will you have to engage in hobbies or recreation?

When students say, 'wow. I never thought about that before,' then I know
the self assessment has started a few wheels turning in their heads and
it gives us a place to start a discussion.


Tom, this is just the kind of assessment that is needed to lead to
meaningful goal setting! I love how you've tuned in to community living
skills. You may want to add questions about how it goes for them at the
doctor's office- any trouble filling out forms? Or at the bank- any issues
making deposits, reading bank statements, or maintaining a budget/living
within their means? Getting to places on time? (If this one is a problem, it
needs further investigation, as tardiness could be a result of a variety of
issues, including problems with executive function, problems reading the bus
schedule, attention issues that distract him/her from leaving home in a
timely fashion,etc.). A good interview will reap much information that can
drive your transition planning.
Arlyn