Maryland action guide · Verified July 25, 2026
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Approaching school exit; DDA application not started

Confirm Transitioning Youth status

Ask DDA in writing whether the person meets the Transitioning Youth Initiative timing and full developmental-disability eligibility requirements.

Official sources checked 2026-07-25

Start here

Review the official Transitioning Youth rules

Before you start

  • The student’s age, expected school exit or graduation date, and current written DDA eligibility decision.
  • Documentation relevant to full developmental-disability eligibility.

Who to contact

The DDA Regional Office for the student’s county.

Find the Regional Office for your county

Step by step

  1. Compare the student’s timing and DDA eligibility status with the official Transitioning Youth page.
  2. Ask the Regional Office in writing whether the person meets the full eligibility and timing requirements.
  3. Ask for the exact missing item or controlling decision if the answer is no or still pending.

Expected next

A written answer identifying the person’s Transitioning Youth status or the eligibility or timing issue still unresolved.

Save this proof

The written determination, named pending item, and any reconsideration or appeal information provided.

If this stalls or the answer is no

Ask the Regional Office for a written determination, the exact missing item, and the applicable reconsideration or appeal route.

Beyond Childhood planning aid

Written request prompt

Ask: “Please confirm in writing whether the person meets the Transitioning Youth timing and full developmental-disability eligibility requirements. If not, identify the controlling decision and exact missing item.”

Derived from Transitioning Youth

Official resources

Limits

TY is not automatic for every student with autism or an IEP; the official timing window is narrow.

Beyond Childhood’s checklists and prompts are planning aids derived from the linked sources. They are not official forms, legal advice, eligibility decisions, or guarantees of funding, capacity, or service.

Checked sources

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