However, you need time before then to think about what you need and prefer, to talk with your parents, and to plan for the best decisions. Therefore, at the IEP meeting during the year you become 17 years of age, the school people on your team must tell you and your parents about the choices. Whoever is the guardian will make education decision until you complete high school. Guardianship is intended to assist individuals who need guidance in making decisions in major life areas - educational decisions, where to live, employment, money and finances, legal issues, and medical concerns. Guardianship can be limited to education decisions, or it can include more than one major life area.
Guardianship is a legal process, and the decision is made by a judge.
If you and your parents decide that a guardian is needed to make educational decisions after you are age 18, your parents need to contact an attorney. The attorney will begin the process by filing guardianship papers in court. Usually the parents request to be guardians. However, any adult who is capable and willing to have the responsibility may be a guardian. You and your guardian will continue to be involved in IEP meetings.