Transition Acronyms Cheat Sheet: SSI, VR, Pre-ETS, ABLE and IEP Terms, High School

A free transition acronyms cheat sheet for special education families and IEP teams: 30 terms like SSI, VR, Pre ETS, ABLE, HCBS, and SDM explained in plain words.

Families start hearing a new alphabet around age 14: VR, Pre ETS, SSI, SOP, HCBS. I made this so a parent can hold one page and follow the conversation at the IEP table.

**What's inside (4 pages):**

• Pages 1,2: Transition Alphabet Soup. 30 terms in 6 groups (school, work, free help, money, health + living, decisions), each with what it stands for and what it means for a family.

• Page 3: Our Family's Cheat Sheet. A fill in table of who to call (school, VR, Social Security, DD agency, Medicaid, Parent Center, benefits counselor) plus 5 questions to bring to the next IEP meeting.

• Page 4: Want more? Links to the full family guides, plus a mention of my book.

**Great for:**

• Parent transition nights and IEP meetings

• New families entering high school special education

• New staff and paras

• Counselors and case managers

**Pairs with these full resources:**

• Who Do I Call?

US terms, current for 2026 (for example, the ABLE age limit moved to 46 on January 1, 2026). Educational resources only, not legal advice. Program rules change, so check with the agency before you act. From the same work as my book, The Transition Map.

Made by Jeremy D. Gooch, special education teacher and transition coordinator. Drafting and layout had AI assistance; every page was checked by me.