Turning 18 – Age of Majority

Transition Planning into Adulthood

Turning 18 Checklist (Adapted from The Arc of Mass Transition Timeline)

• Understand Age of Majority. At age 18, all people are presumed to be legally competent to make all life decisions unless you petition for Guardianship or put other tools in place.
  • Guardianship (most restrictive) – www.mass.gov/guardianship-conservatorship-of-incapacitated-persons
  • Supported Decision Making (least restrictive) – www.supporteddecisions.org
• Ensure a Chapter 688 Referral is completed (if applicable) or apply for eligibility for adult services. These include the Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health, MA Commission for the Blind, and MA Rehabilitation Commission.
  • If your son or daughter is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Smith-Magenis Syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome, they do not need have a diagnosis of an intellectual disability to receive services from DDS.

• Apply for Social Security Benefits (SSI)/MassHealth. If SSI eligible, an individual will automatically be eligible for MassHealth. If not eligible for SSI, apply separately to the Division of Medical Assistance for MassHealth.
• Apply for Section 8 Housing Vouchers – www.affordablehousing.com/masscwl
• Register men for Selective Service – www.sss.gov/Home/Registration
• Apply for Adult Family Care (AFC) if applicable – www.massafc.org
• Have your child register to vote – www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr
• Looking into future planning – www.futureplanning.thearc.org
• Help your child actively participate in his/her IEP meeting. He/she should be part of planning their learning and life goals.
• Make sure emphasis on IEP is on post-school goals that will make the biggest differences in the life of your child.
• Continue to consider transition assessments to clarify student’s continued skill development needs.
• Invite a representative from a human service agency, (example: Transition Coordinator from DDS or MRC) to attend your child’s IEP meeting.
• Network with other families who have been through the transition process.

Other Turning 18 Checklists:

• Autism Housing Pathways: https://autismhousingpathways.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Turning18checklist_04-2021.pdf
• The Autism Program at Boston Medical Center https://www.bmc.org/sites/default/files/Patient_Care/Specialty_Care/Turning18Checklist.pdf

Connect With Us:

To schedule a one hour, consult please fill out the Intake Form below:

The Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport Family Support Center Referral

Formulario al Centro de Apoyo Familiar Del Arc de Greater Haverhill-Newburyport

For additional support contact:

• Andrea Morris, Director of Family Supports amorris@thearcofghn.org or 978-373-0552 x211
• Sreya Shepard, Family Support Center Manager, sshepard@thearcofghn.org or 978-373-0552 x241
• Rowan DeAza, Bilingual Family Support Navigator rdeaza@thearcofghn.org or 978-373-0552 x216

Current Family Support Hours:
Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm, appointments preferred.
Extended hours are offered by appointment only.