Getting Ready for Healthcare at the Age of Majority

When young people with disabilities reach the “age of majority,” they gain the right to manage their own affairs, including choosing their own doctor and seeing to their own healthcare needs. In most states, this happens at age 18. Legally considered as adults, they may take charge of healthcare decisions large and small. But will they be ready to make such decisions for themselves? Will they have the skills and basic information they need? This NASET Parent-Teacher Conference Handout is a tip sheet from National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC), National Post-School Outcomes Center (NPSO) and Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) considers steps that you (as parents) and others (such as teachers or transition specialists) can take to help your teenager with disabilities learn what’s involved in taking care of one’s own health and healthcare as an adult.

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