What is a potential challenge faced by students with disabilities during transitions?

Students with disabilities often encounter significant challenges during transitions, which can include moving from one grade to another, changing schools, or shifting from school to post-school activities. One of the primary difficulties they face is adapting to new environments and routines.

Transitions can involve changes in teachers, classmates, physical environments, and instructional methods. Students with disabilities may struggle with understanding and adjusting to these new expectations and settings. For example, they might have routines and supports that were established in their previous environment, which may not be in place or may be different in the new setting. This change can lead to feelings of anxiety, confusion, or frustration, as they try to navigate the new circumstances without the familiar support structures they relied on.

Supporting these students during transitions often requires careful planning and coordination among educators, support staff, and families to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible and that the students continue to feel supported and understood in their new environments.