The Crucial Need for Occupational Therapy to Prioritize Postsecondary Transition.

Recent federal initiatives demonstrate that improving adult outcomes for youth with disabilities is a high priority for the United States. The U.S. Office of Special Education Programs launched a new initiative in May 2023 to improve postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities titled "Expect, Engage, Empower: Successful Transitions for All!" In addition, recent funding initiatives have allocated millions of federal dollars to improving postschool outcomes for youth with disabilities. Occupational therapy practitioners must be aware of these initiatives and the implications they have for their roles in school-based practice, vocational rehabilitation, and other practice settings where they serve children and youth. "Expect, Engage, Empower," along with existing legislation, creates opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners to secure their role as leaders in supporting the transition to adulthood. The time is now for the occupational therapy profession to recognize this as a priority and work to ensure they are well represented in the area of postsecondary transition. In this article, we review existing legislation, new federal initiatives, and recent research evidence and demonstrate the need for occupational therapy practitioners to assert their role in postsecondary transition.