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

What happens when your child transitions from special education to adult services? In this episode, we walk through the Massachusetts adult transition process, including how to apply for DDS adult eligibility, what the Individual Transition Plan (ITP) actually covers, and the major shift families face as they move from entitlement services under IDEA to eligibility-based adult services. You’ll learn why adult eligibility must be determined even if your child received services as a minor, how ...

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,...

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 v...

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 y...

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 t...

✨ 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—th...

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 direc...