Life Without a Filter: A Parent’s Guide to Disability Transition, Self-Directed Adult Services & Life After Special Education

Self-determination and self-advocacy — you’ve probably heard these terms used interchangeably. But they’re not the same… and understanding the difference matters more than you might think.

In this week’s podcast episode, I break down:
 • what self-determination really means
• how self-advocacy builds on it
• and why your young adult needs both to move from planning to real-life action

Here’s a question to think about as you listen:
 👉 If your young adult doesn’t have a clear plan, what are they advocating for?

#TransitionPlanning #SelfDetermination #SelfAdvocacy #ParentsOfYoungAdults #DisabilitySupport #IEPTransition #AdultServices #ParentToParent

Don't want to miss an episode?  Make sure to subscribe, rate, and comment!

Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/life_without_a_filter_2025/

For more information on the resources we share, visit our website:  https://lifewithoutafiltercf.com/

As a Disclaimer,  I am NOT a lawyer, a medical doctor, or a licensed psychologist.  I am writing this blog as a mom sharing her journey and opinions.  My views are my own and should not be construed as any direct medical or legal advice. (I hate having to write a disclaimer, but this is the world we live in!)

If you support a young adult with a disability, the transition from school to adult services can feel overwhelming.

In this week's episode, I break down one of my favorite tools: The Arc of Massachusetts Transition Timeline—a resource that takes a truly holistic approach from ages 13 to 22.

I share what I found most helpful, what I wish the handout included, and how our family navigated key milestones like person-centered planning, travel training, adult service referrals, and preparing for life after public school.

#TransitionPlanning #SpecialEducation #DisabilitySupport #IEP #SelfDirection #AdultServices #FamilyCaregivers #MassachusettsDDS #LifeAfter22

Shownotes:

Transition from School to Adult Life–Timelines https://thearcofmass.org/resource-search/transition-from-school-to-adult-life-time-lines/ 

DESE Secondary Transition:  https://www.doe.mass.edu/specialeducation/iep/transition/ 

Pre-ETS Transition Services:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/pre-employment-transition-services-pre-ets-0 

Don't want to miss an episode?  Make sure to subscribe, rate, and comment!

Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/life_without_a_filter_2025/

For more information on the resources we share, visit our website:  https://lifewithoutafiltercf.com/

As a Disclaimer,  I am NOT a lawyer, a medical doctor, or a licensed psychologist.  I am writing this blog as a mom sharing her journey and opinions.  My views are my own and should not be construed as any direct medical or legal advice. (I hate having to write a disclaimer, but this is the world we live in!)

If you have a child with disabilities between the ages of 14–22, you’ve probably already felt the pressure that comes with turning 18. There are forms, referrals, applications, decisions… and it can all feel like a lot.

In this week’s episode, I take a deeper dive into the Turning 18 Checklist and walk through:

 ➡️ Why the 688 Referral needs to happen early
 ➡️ Selective Service details (and why it actually matters)
 ➡️ The reality of Section 8 waitlists
 ➡️ Guardianship vs. Supported Decision Making
 ➡️ SSI, SSDI, and what those confusing letters really mean

I’m sharing our family’s experience with L, what surprised me, and the things I wish someone had told me before we started this process.

Whether you’re a parent or an educator supporting transition-age students, I hope this episode helps make the journey a little clearer.

#SpecialNeedsParenting #TransitionPlanning #Turning18 #DisabilitySupport #AdultServices #Podcast

Shownote Links:

The Turning 18 checklist:  https://autismhousingpathways.org/turning-18-checklist/ 

Autism Housing Pathways:  https://autismhousingpathways.org/ 

What is Chapter 688?:  https://www.mass.gov/doc/guide-to-chapter-688-mass-turning-22-law-brochure-0/download 

Selective Service:  https://www.sss.gov/register/who-needs-to-register/#:~:text=Disabled%20Men,-Disabled%20men%20who&text=Men%20with%20disabilities%20that%20would,event%20of%20a%20national%20emergency. 

The Current Housing Situation:  https://autismhousingpathways.org/the-current-housing-situation/

Section 8  Housing:  https://18section8.org/

Don't want to miss an episode?  Make sure to subscribe, rate, and comment!

Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/life_without_a_filter_2025/

For more information on the resources we share, visit our website:  https://lifewithoutafiltercf.com/

As a Disclaimer,  I am NOT a lawyer, a medical doctor, or a licensed psychologist.  I am writing this blog as a mom sharing her journey and opinions.  My views are my own and should not be construed as any direct medical or legal advice. (I hate having to write a disclaimer, but this is the world we live in!)

As families supporting young adults with disabilities, our days can be full and complex — but they’re also full of moments worth celebrating. In this week’s episode of Life Without a Filter, I share a personal reflection on the things we are especially grateful for as we continue building and managing L’s participant-directed program.

From the flexibility of personalized scheduling, to inclusive community opportunities, to dedicated staff and supportive partners — these pieces make all the difference in helping our young adults thrive.

If you’re a parent, educator, provider, or someone who works in adult disability services, I hope this episode offers both insight and encouragement.

Don't want to miss an episode?  Make sure to subscribe, rate, and comment!

Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/life_without_a_filter_2025/

For more information on the resources we share, visit our website:  https://lifewithoutafiltercf.com/

As a Disclaimer,  I am NOT a lawyer, a medical doctor, or a licensed psychologist.  I am writing this blog as a mom sharing her journey and opinions.  My views are my own and should not be construed as any direct medical or legal advice. (I hate having to write a disclaimer, but this is the world we live in!)

When you decide to explore self-direction for your young adult, the first big step is creating a Vision Plan — your family’s roadmap for what adulthood will look like.

In this week’s episode of Life Without a Filter, I share how our family built L’s Vision Plan — from using his Person-Centered Plan and transition assessments to mapping out goals, daily supports, and even writing job descriptions for staff.

It’s a process that takes time, planning, and teamwork — but the effort pays off when you start to see your young adult’s goals come to life.

Resources:

Steps to Launching a Participant-Directed Program Checklist:  https://lifewithoutafiltercf.com/resources/

Don't want to miss an episode?  Make sure to subscribe, rate, and comment!

Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/life_without_a_filter_2025/

For more information on the resources we share, visit our website:  https://lifewithoutafiltercf.com/

As a Disclaimer,  I am NOT a lawyer, a medical doctor, or a licensed psychologist.  I am writing this blog as a mom sharing her journey and opinions.  My views are my own and should not be construed as any direct medical or legal advice. (I hate having to write a disclaimer, but this is the world we live in!)

Today, we’re diving deep into a topic that I am passionate about: Person-Centered Planning. This concept is absolutely fundamental to empowering our kids as they plan for their futures.

Resources:

Charting the Life Course:  https://www.lifecoursetools.com/

I'm Determined Framework:  https://imdetermined.org/

 PATH and MAPS Framework:  https://inclusion.com/path-maps-and-person-centered-planning/

SnapType Pro:  https://snaptypeapp.com/

Clicker:  https://cricksoft.com/clicker/

Book Creator:  https://bookcreator.com/

Notability:  https://notability.com/

OrbitNote:  https://www.texthelp.com/products/orbitnote/

Kami:  https://www.kamiapp.com/

Don't want to miss an episode?  Make sure to subscribe, rate, and comment!

Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/life_without_a_filter_2025/

For more information on the resources we share, visit our website:  https://lifewithoutafiltercf.com/

As a Disclaimer,  I am NOT a lawyer, a medical doctor, or a licensed psychologist.  I am writing this blog as a mom sharing her journey and opinions.  My views are my own and should not be construed as any direct medical or legal advice. (I hate having to write a disclaimer, but this is the world we live in!)

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

This year marks the 80th anniversary of NDEAM, with the theme: “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

💡 Listen to this week's episode to learn more about:
 ✔️ What NDEAM is all about
 ✔️ Why employment matters for young adults with disabilities
 ✔️ How we’re building job readiness into L’s plan
 ✔️ Local organizations making a difference

👉 https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam

Let’s celebrate the value and talent of ALL people this month—and every month. 💙

#NDEAM #DisabilityEmployment #InclusionMatters #LifeWithoutaFilter

Don't want to miss an episode?  Make sure to subscribe, rate, and comment!

Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/life_without_a_filter_2025/

For more information on the resources we share, visit our website:  https://lifewithoutafiltercf.com/

As a Disclaimer,  I am NOT a lawyer, a medical doctor, or a licensed psychologist.  I am writing this blog as a mom sharing her journey and opinions.  My views are my own and should not be construed as any direct medical or legal advice. (I hate having to write a disclaimer, but this is the world we live in!)

 Self Direction:  What It Is & How We Got Here

In this episode of Life Without a Filter, Cheryl breaks down the basics of self-direction programming through DDS in Massachusetts and shares the behind-the-scenes story of how her family prepared for this path with her son, L.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What self-direction is and how it’s funded through DDS.
• The difference between Agency with Choice and Participant Directed Programming.
• Why Cheryl’s family chose Participant Directed Programming and what it really takes to manage it.
• The step-by-step journey that led them here—starting at age 14 with transition planning, the 688 referral, DDS applications, and person-centered planning.
• The importance of building relationships early with your DDS Transition Coordinator and Self-Direction Coordinator.
• Why person-centered planning and transition assessments became the turning point for L’s program.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• DDS website: Choosing an Adult Service Model that is Best for You:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/what-is-self-direction 

Don't want to miss an episode?  Make sure to subscribe, rate, and comment!

Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/life_without_a_filter_2025/

For more information on the resources we share, visit our website:  https://lifewithoutafiltercf.com/

As a Disclaimer,  I am NOT a lawyer, a medical doctor, or a licensed psychologist.  I am writing this blog as a mom sharing her journey and opinions.  My views are my own and should not be construed as any direct medical or legal advice. (I hate having to write a disclaimer, but this is the world we live in!)

✨ Goodbye School, Hello Unknowns ✨
 When the school “bubble” pops, it can feel overwhelming. Services, waitlists, adult systems—it’s a lot.

In Episode 2 of Life Without a Filter, I’m breaking down Transition Planning 101:
✅ What transition planning really means
✅ When it starts (and why it’s different by state)
✅ The 3 pillars every parent & teacher should know
✅ Checklists that make the process less scary

If you’re a parent or teacher wondering what’s next after public school—this episode is for you. 💙

Resources from today's episode

✅ The Turning 18 Checklist from Autism Housing Pathways:  https://autismhousingpathways.org/turning-18-checklist/

✅ The Arc of Massachusetts Transition from School to Adult Timeline:  https://thearcofmass.org/resource-search/transition-from-school-to-adult-life-time-lines/

✅ The Federation for Children with Special Needs Transition Resources:  https://fcsn.org/resources/parents-families/transition/

Rather watch the video version?  Check out this episode on our YouTube Channel:  https://youtu.be/BgBtN0hnZGk 

Don't want to miss an episode?  Make sure to subscribe, rate, and comment!

Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/life_without_a_filter_2025/

For more information on the resources we share, visit our website:  https://lifewithoutafiltercf.com/

As a Disclaimer,  I am NOT a lawyer, a medical doctor, or a licensed psychologist.  I am writing this blog as a mom sharing her journey and opinions.  My views are my own and should not be construed as any direct medical or legal advice. (I hate having to write a disclaimer, but this is the world we live in!)

When the school bus stops coming, what happens next?  Let's talk about the fears, questions, and realities families face the day public education ends.

Welcome to Episode 1 of Life Without a Filter!  In this episode, you will hear a bit about our family and the decision we made when our son, L, finished his public school education.

Join us for future episodes as we take deep dives into what a self-direction program is, what I need to do to make it work, and hear from other families that are currently thriving in navigating this program model.

Thanks for joining us on our journey!

Don't want to miss an episode?  Make sure to subscribe, rate, and comment!

Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/life_without_a_filter_2025/

For more information on the resources we share, visit our website:  https://lifewithoutafiltercf.com/

As a Disclaimer,  I am NOT a lawyer, a medical doctor, or a licensed psychologist.  I am writing this blog as a mom sharing her journey and opinions.  My views are my own and should not be construed as any direct medical or legal advice. (I hate having to write a disclaimer, but this is the world we live in!)