Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are less likely to have positive transition outcomes after high school than students without disability. Even though legislation mandates that students with ID receive person-centered transition services during high school to support engagement in the desired quality of life post-high school, individuals continue to report lower quality of life ratings. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of young adults with ID after leaving high school through the lens of Self-Determination Theory. Data collection occurred through interviews with young adults with ID and a key support person chosen by the individual. A purposive sampling method was employed to determine the participant samples, which consisted of four dyads. Each dyad was interviewed following a semi-structured format. The semi-structured interviews focused on experiences concerning the quality of life during young adulthood and transition experiences during high school. Findings revealed that participants in the current study were overall satisfied with their current quality of life; however, meaningful age-appropriate choice and opportunities were limited. Additionally, results indicated a lack of student- and family-centered transition planning during high school. Recommendations for practice include cultivating self-determination in all individuals with ID by engaging them and family throughout the high school transition process and creating opportunities for families to learn the importance of self-determination. Potential future research could include a) increasing opportunities for individuals with ID to tell their stories and perspectives, b) expanding study samples, c) investigating family's knowledge of the role self-determination plays in the quality of life. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]