The year before 18 goes fast. This checklist breaks it into steps you can work through with your teen, their IEP team and, where needed, a Florida attorney. The months are a suggested order, not legal deadlines, unless a statute is cited. Every family's timing will differ. This is general information, not legal advice for your situation.
12 months before 18: what should happen at school?
- Confirm the transfer-of-rights information. Florida law requires the school, "at least 1 year before the student reaches the age of majority," to give the student and parent information on "the legal rights and responsibilities regarding the educational decisions that transfer to the student upon attaining the age of 18" (s. 1003.5716(1)(d)). It must cover FERPA consent, powers of attorney, guardian advocacy (s. 393.12), guardianship (ch. 744) and supported decisionmaking agreements (s. 709.2209). If it has not happened, ask the ESE case manager in writing.
- Ask for agency referral information. At IEP meetings, schools must provide "referral forms, links, and technical support contacts" for Florida's Center for Students with Unique Abilities, Centers for Independent Living, Vocational Rehabilitation, APD and Blind Services (s. 1003.5716(1)(c)).
- Review the diploma plan. The IEP must document discussion of deferring the standard diploma for students who will receive services to age 21, and the IEP in effect the year the student is expected to graduate must include a signed statement about deferral from the parent, the guardian, or the student if rights have transferred (s. 1003.5716(2)(a)). See diploma options.
- Ask about Pre-Employment Transition Services. Florida Vocational Rehabilitation offers these to students with disabilities ages 14 to 21. Read VR Pre-ETS in Florida.
11 to 9 months before 18: how do we choose decision-making tools?
- Map decisions with your teen. List areas (health care, money, school, housing, work, relationships) and mark each: decides alone, decides with help, needs someone else to decide for now. Include your teen's own view.
- Learn the options. Read turning 18 in Florida for the spectrum from supported decision-making to guardianship.
- Book an attorney consultation. Bring diagnosis reports, the current IEP and your decision map. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service is 1-800-342-8011. Disability Rights Florida is 800-342-0823.
- If a guardian advocate may be needed, ask your attorney when to file so an order can be in place near the birthday. For youth in the dependency system (chapter 39), the statute lets the guardianship court take the petition at 17 years and 6 months, with the order issued on the 18th birthday or as soon after as possible (s. 393.12(2)(c)). See guardian advocate petition steps.
8 to 6 months before 18: what about benefits and APD?
- SSI. If your teen gets SSI, Social Security will redetermine eligibility using adult rules after 18 (20 C.F.R. 416.987). If your teen does not get SSI now, note that the rules counting parents' income ("deeming") apply only through the month the child turns 18 (20 C.F.R. 416.1165), so an adult application is judged differently. Ask Social Security about timing. See SSI for children with autism.
- APD. If your teen is already APD-eligible and on pre-enrollment, ask your regional office whether they fit Category 5: clients "expected to graduate within the next 12 months from secondary school" who "need support to obtain a meaningful day activity, maintain competitive employment, or pursue an accredited program of postsecondary education" (s. 393.065(5)(e)). Keep your contact information current with APD. If your teen is not yet eligible, read how to apply for APD.
- ABLE United. Florida's ABLE program lets eligible people save without losing certain benefits. In 2026, eligibility expanded to people whose disability began before age 46, and ABLE United requires Florida residency. See ABLE United accounts.
5 to 3 months before 18: what documents should be ready?
- Draft documents your teen will sign at 18, as your attorney advises: a supported decisionmaking agreement, a health care surrogate designation, a specific durable power of attorney, FERPA consent forms and medical releases.
- Know the signing rules. A health care surrogate designation must be signed "in the presence of two subscribing adult witnesses," the surrogate cannot be a witness, and at least one witness must be neither spouse nor blood relative (s. 765.202). A power of attorney needs two witnesses and a notary (s. 709.2105(2)). A supported decisionmaking agreement is a type of power of attorney (s. 709.2209).
- Practice with your teen. Read the documents together in plain language or their communication system, and role-play a doctor visit where they introduce their supporter.
2 months before 18 to the birthday: what else should we check?
- Health insurance. Florida's autism mandate covers a person 18 or older "who is in high school" and was diagnosed with a developmental disability at 8 or younger (s. 627.6686(2)(c)), but only in plans the mandate reaches. Call your plan, or ask Hope Center for a free benefits check. See ABA coverage after 18.
- ID card or driver license "D". On request, Florida can add a "D" designation for a developmental disability to an ID card or driver license with a physician's proof of diagnosis (ss. 322.051(8), 322.14(1)). See D designation and SAFE flag.
- Safety plan update. Florida's Purple Alert covers missing adults 18 and older with an intellectual or developmental disability whose disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger (s. 937.0205). Only law enforcement can request one. Update the photo and description you keep for emergencies. See Purple Alert.
- Sign the documents on or after the birthday, with witnesses and a notary as needed, and give copies to doctors, the school and providers your teen wants involved.
Checklist at a glance
| When | Task | Rule or source |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | Transfer-of-rights information from the school | s. 1003.5716(1)(d): at least 1 year before 18 |
| 12 months | Agency referral forms at IEP meeting | s. 1003.5716(1)(c) |
| 11 to 9 months | Decision map and attorney consultation | ss. 393.12, 709.2209, ch. 744 |
| 8 to 6 months | SSI plan; APD Category 5 question; ABLE review | 20 C.F.R. 416.987; s. 393.065(5)(e) |
| 5 to 3 months | Draft documents; practice signing | ss. 765.202, 709.2105 |
| 2 months to birthday | Insurance check; ID options; safety plan; sign documents | ss. 627.6686, 322.051, 937.0205 |
How can Hope Center help during the transition?
Hope Center's ABA programs are written by BCBAs, delivered by RBTs and reviewed by our clinical director, with weekly supervision and weekly parent training. Our staff can join IEP meetings, doctor visits and other appointments where allowed, which can help when goals shift toward adult skills. We work in homes, schools, the community and our centers in West Palm Beach, Temple Terrace (Tampa), Port Charlotte, Jacksonville and Sebring. We do not give legal advice. To talk about your teen's next year, contact us or call 561-337-8865 for a free consultation and free benefits check.