Adolescence is a tricky time for most families. For parents of teenagers with special needs there can be many extra complications and headaches. In this section we outline some of the issues and changes that you will encounter when your child becomes an adult in order to help you begin to make plans for their future. For more detailed information, get a copy of Through the Next Maze, our handbook for dealing with the transition years.

Education and Transition Planning describes the transition planning process that should help with the challenges of planning for your child's future after school.

The complicated changes to yours and your child's benefit entitlements are dealt with in two sections: Changes to Benefits at 16 and Benefits for over-16s.

We also give you information about what changes you may encounter in the transition to adult Social Services and Health services.

Finally, in More about Transition Planning, we give you information about person centred planning and government strategies for improving the transition process.

Amaze has dedicated services and staff to support you through your child's transition to adulthood.  Go to How can Amaze help to find out what we can do to help.