POSTED APRIL 2013
The PA Dept. of Education, Bureau of Special Education, and the PA Training & Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) are pleased to announce the "Pennsylvania Secondary Transition Guide" at  www.secondarytransition.org . This is a website designed to be a central information hub for youth and families navigating the transition from secondary education to adult life.  The website is organized by secondary transition topics that cover key areas, including post-secondary education and training, employment and community living.  Information on the website is designed to highlight important subjects and activities based on a student's age.  The website links to other Pennsylvania agencies and departments that support secondary transition.  Materials for youth and families are added to the web portal frequently, so be sure to add the website to your favorites and return to the site often!

Special Education services are provided according to the primary educational needs
of the child, not the category of disability.  The types of services available are...

LEARNING support, for students who primarily need assistance with the acquisition of academic skills;
LIFE SKILLS support , for students who primarily need assistance with development of skill for independent living;
EMOTIONAL support , for students who primarily need assistance with social or emotional development;
DEAF OR HEARING IMPAIRED support , for students who primarily need assistance with deafness;
BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED support , for students who primarily need assistance with blindness;
PHYSICAL support , for students who primarily require physical assistance in the learning environment;
AUTISTIC support , for students who primarily need assistance in the areas affected by autism spectrum disorders; and
MULTIPLE DISABILITIES support , for students who primarily need assistance in multiple areas affected by their disabilities.

RELATED SERVICES are designed to enable the child to participate in or access his/her program of special education.  Examples of related services are speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing services, audiologist services, counseling, and family training.