Becoming Legal

One other thing you should know is that when you reach the age of 18, all of a sudden you have a lot more responsibility. In most (but not all) states, age 18 is when you are legally (by law) considered to be an adult. This is called the "Age of Majority" because you will no longer be a “minor.” You will be able to do things that you haven't been able to do before, like vote, sign your own legal documents, marry, obtain a credit card, and make decisions without your parents' permission. You may also be able to make more decisions about your own healthcare. In some states, the age when you become a legal adult is different than age 18, so it's important to know your state's rules.

The Age of Majority has to be addressed within your IEP. Your team needs to explain what this means and what will happen when you turn 18. They also need to help you prepare for this. You can prepare for this by learning about your state's laws as early as possible and then including goals in your IEP to make sure you are prepared by the time you turn age 18.