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Transition to Adulthood

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Table of Contents

Timeline for Adult Transition

Transitioning from child to adult services is a major milestone for people with developmental disabilities. At age 18, individuals must transition from FSCD to adult programs like PDD and AISH. Because wait times are long, families must plan early to prevent gaps in support.

  • 16 years: Apply to Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)
  • 17 years: Apply for Adult Guardianship & Trusteeship
  • 17½ years: Apply to Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)
  • 18 years: Obtain Referrals to Adult Health Care
PDD (Persons with Developmental Disabilities)

The PDD program, funded by the Alberta government, supports eligible adults with developmental disabilities through home living, community access and employment supports. PDD does not provide income support, housing, medical care, or crisis services.

To be eligible for PDD services, an individual must

  • be at least 18 years old
  • be a resident of Alberta and receive services in Alberta
  • be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
  • have a developmental disability that began before age 18
  • have a significant limitation in intellectual capacity (FSIQ of 70 or less)
  • have a significant limitation in adaptive (daily living) skills

You can apply online as soon as the individual turns 16 years old.

Documents Needed for PDD Application
  1. Proof of age and citizenship or permanent residency (one of the following):
  • Canadian Birth Certificate
  • Canadian Passport
  • Permanent Resident or Citizenship card
  • IMM1000 Record of Landing
  • IMM5292 Confirmation of Permanent Residence
  1. Proof of decision-making capacity (one of the following):
  • Adult Guardianship court order
  • Co-Decision Making court order
  • Supported Decision Making authorization

  3. Proof of developmental disability (one of the following)

  • A psychological assessment showing an Full Scale IQ score of 70 or below
  • A letter from a doctor or psychologist confirming the individual cannot be tested
Next Steps and Parent's Advocacy
  1. PDD will send you a letter of eligibility or ineligibility
  2. PDD will assign you a Disability Services caseworker
  3. The caseworker will meet with you to determine
  • Short-term and long-term goals
  • Type and amount of support (day program, respite, employment)
  • Delivery of supports (service provider, Family Managed Services, both)
  • Living accommodations (family home, supported home, agency-provided home)

Your advocacy at these initial meetings is critical:

  • Be clear about your child’s needs and the services you require
  • Submit these details in writing, either before or after your meeting
  • Focus on your child’s needs, not your own
  • Save all your communications with PDD
  1. PDD will send you the details of your approved funding.
Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship

If you are applying for services on behalf of your child, you need to have appropriate decision-making authority in place before your child turns 18:

  • Adult Guardianship court order (Full/Partial)
  • Co-Decision Maker court order (Shared)
  • Supported Decision Making authorization (Voluntary)
  • Public Guardian (Assigned)

To apply for adult guardianship:

  • Apply online when your child reaches 17 years old
  • Arrange for a doctor or psychologist to complete a capacity assessment
  • Submit the application to the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (OPGT)
  • Pay the fees for the court filing ($300), the capacity assessment ($50-$100), and the background checks for alternate guardians ($79 each).
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)

AISH provides a monthly living allowance and health benefits to eligible adults with a disability or medical condition that (1) is likely to remain permanent, and (2) substantially limits their ability to earn a living.

To be eligible for AISH benefits, the individual must

  • be a resident of Alberta
  • be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, and
  • have less than $100,000 of non-exempt assets

(Exempt assets include a home, a vehicle, an RDSP, and a discretionary trust fund)

The AISH application form has two parts. Complete Part 1 (Applicant Form) and have a family doctor or pediatrician complete Part 2 (Medical Form). The Medical Form is not required if the individual has already been accepted into the PDD program.

Commonly Used Terms

Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) offers financial and health benefits for eligible Albertans with a permanent medical condition that prevents them from earning a living.

A program that covers health benefits for low-income households who are pregnant or have high ongoing prescription drug needs. This health plan includes children who are at least 18 years old if they are living at home and attending high school.

A program that provides funding for basic medical equipment and supplies for Albertans with long-term disabilities, chronic illness or terminal illness so that clients can live independently at home and within their communities.

A professional assessment that is done to see if an adult can make personal or financial decisions and can understand the consequences.

A federal benefit for low-income Canadians with disabilities. In Alberta, a person must have applied for the Disability Tax Credit to receive the CDB.

Provides socialization, recreation activities and exercise programs for home care clients and provides respite to family caregivers of adults 18+ who are medically stable.

A federal tax credit that may reduce the income tax amount that an individual with a disability or their caregiver has to pay.

A functional assessment is the process of systematically identifying factors that predict and maintain “behaviours of concern.” It is then used to identify teaching and intervention strategies to be used in a positive behaviour support plan.

A court order that gives someone legal authority to make personal, legal, health and/or financial decisions on behalf of an adult who does not have this capacity.

Assist people with information and resources in the areas of guardianship services, trusteeship services, capacity assessment information and court applications, complaints about guardians, trustees and agents, and advance planning.

A program that helps eligible adults plan, coordinate and access services to live as independently as they can in their community.

A comprehensive evaluation by a psychologist that identifies a person’s learning strengths and needs to understand why they may be struggling in certain areas. PDD uses the Full-Scale IQ score from this assessment to determine eligibility in the program.

A long-term savings plan meant to provide future support for individuals with a disability.

Respite provides short-term relief for primary caregivers. Respite care can take place in a person’s home, in a provider’s home, or in a care facility.

The legal or moral responsibility of managing financial accounts on behalf or for the benefit of others.

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