Our Information Specialists are here to support and assist with any questions. Call AUTISM. Presented by, Funding provided by a grant from:

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1 Our Information Specialists are here to support and assist with any questions. Call AUTISM Presented by, Funding provided by a grant from:

2 2014 Transition Conference Schedule Registration/Exhibits...8am Keynote...9am - 10:30am Session A...10:30am - 12pm Lunch/Exhibits...12pm - 1pm Session B...1pm - 2:30pm Session C...2:45pm - 4:15pm About Autism New Jersey NJ S AUTISM RESOURCE Supporting New Jersey s autism community since 1965, Autism New Jersey has been the dependable resource for parents and professionals. Our Mission Autism New Jersey is a nonprofit agency committed to ensuring safe and fulfilling lives for individuals with autism, their families and the professionals who support them. Through awareness, credible information, education and public policy initiatives, Autism New Jersey leads the way to lifelong individualized services provided with skill and compassion. We recognize the autism community s many contributions to society and work to enhance their resilience, abilities and quality of life AUTISM Autism New Jersey Information Specialists are here to support and assist with any questions. We can offer help with service navigation, referrals, free resources, and much more. Autism New Jersey AUTISM

3 Registration/Exhibits Outside the Ballroom...8am Coffee available... 8am - 10am Keynote Ballroom...9am - 10:30am Health Care Transition: Preparing for Health Care Self-Determination in Adulthood Ari Ne'eman, Autism Self-Advocacy Network Youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities face a variety of challenges as they prepare for adulthood. While much attention has been paid to the scope of issues associated with transition to employment and post-secondary education, comparatively little discussion has occurred on the transition from pediatric to adult primary and specialty healthcare. This presentation from ASAN President Ari Ne eman will highlight a variety of health care transition related issues for autistic youth and those with other I/DD. Adaptive Behavior and ASD: Promoting Choice, Independence, and Community Competence Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., JPG Autism Consulting, LLC Adaptive behavior refers to a complex set of life skills that enable an individual to achieve personal independence across a variety of domains. While much of our current instructional intervention is focused on academic competencies, adaptive skills are actually far more valuable and necessary for the expression of academic competencies. This talk will present an overview of adaptive behavior in ASD and its relationship to community living, independence, personal safety, and community competence Transition Conference

4 Session A...10:30am - 12pm 1. Guardianship and Estate Planning Madison Room Herbert Hinkle, Esq., Hinkle, Fingles and Prior Planning for the future for your child with autism can be complicated. Should you have bonds and savings accounts in your child s name? Who should you designate as guardians for your child(ren)? When should you begin this process? This workshop will help you to understand the issues surrounding your decisions when planning for the future. 2. Maximizing Education through Transition Years Jefferson Room Mary Haspel, M.A., BCBA and Bob Haugh, NJ Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs The intent of the transition services requirements in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is to improve the quality of life of young adults with disabilities. The basic purpose of the legislation is to better prepare students with disabilities to enter the workplace, go on for further training, become as independent as possible, and contribute to society. Further, the intent is to enable students to gain access to the services that are necessary for them to accomplish the outcomes they desire and to have services in place before they leave school. The legislation speaks to focusing Individualized Education Program (IEP) development, planning, educational programs, services, and supports toward post-school outcomes. This process should promote measurable outcomes to ensure successful movement from school to post-secondary education, training, employment, independent living, and community participation. The transition service requirements of IDEA recognize that education can improve the post-school outcomes of students with disabilities by assessing individual student needs and using systematic, data-driven instruction to prepare students and families for the challenges and complexities of the adult world. 3. Funding for Postsecondary Transition Services Washington Room Ernst VanBergeijk, Ph.D., MSW, New York Institute of Technology, Vocational Independence Program New amendments to the Higher Education Opportunity Act (2008) now make it possible for students enrolled in a comprehensive postsecondary transition (CTP) program to apply for financial aid if their program is approved by the U.S. Department of Education. The presenter will describe three models of postsecondary education, identify which one qualifies under the changes to this legislation and discuss how to use both funding sources to maximize student support. Autism New Jersey AUTISM

5 Lunch/Exhibits Buffet - Adams, Tables - Ballroom pm - 1pm Guest Speaker Ballroom...12:15pm - 12:30pm Jennifer Joyce, Director of Employment, Transition, and Day Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Session B...1pm - 2:30pm 4. Accessing Adult Services Jefferson Room Maria Fischer, Esq. and Paul Prior, Esq., Hinkle, Fingles and Prior As families prepare for the transition from school to adult services, securing and preserving eligibility for key funding streams is vital. This session will explain the complex funding issue, available programs and eligibility criteria for services for adults with autism. Parents also will learn about the financial and legal implications of planning for adult services, particularly protecting the assets and income resources that will help ensure their child has the opportunity to lead a full life in the community. 5. Best Practices for Teaching Social Problem-Solving Skills in High School Madison Room Michael Selbst, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Behavior Therapy Associates Adolescents with ASD commonly present with significant social skills impairments and require programming that includes evidence-based strategies. POWER-Solving is a user-friendly, systematic approach to teaching social problem-solving that has been adapted from the social information processing literature. This workshop will include concrete strategies to promote social skills, positive practice and generalization as well as monitoring progress. 6. Preparing Your Young Adult with Autism for a Successful Transition to an Adult Day Program Washington Room Toli Anastassiou, M.A., BCBA and Carrie Hennessy, Quest Autism Programs The presenters will examine skills necessary for transition to an adult day program as well as how to prepare for success with lower staffing ratios. Other topics will include selecting and developing functional skills, funding limitations and outcome evaluations in adult services Transition Conference

6 Session C...2:45pm - 4:15pm 7. Medicaid and SSI Jefferson Room Ira Fingles, Esq., Hinkle, Fingles and Prior Learn how to maximize your health coverage, navigate the system, gain coverage under other programs such as Medicaid and Medicaid-funded waivers, and master appeal procedures. This workshop will explain this complex funding issue, available programs and eligibility criteria for services for adults with autism. 8. PANEL: Developing and Maintaining Evidence-based Educational Programs for Adolescents with Autism Washington Room Irene Cook, Ed.D., Pompton Lakes, Lakeland Regional High School, and Ringwood Public Schools; Marissa Gynn-Ricafort, M.A., BCBA, Bergen County Special Services School District; and Julie Wolff, M.Ed., BCBA, Freehold Regional High School District, Howell High School Public school leaders will offer their perspectives on developing and maintaining in-district programs for high school students with autism. Using the framework of the DOE s Autism Program Quality Indicators, each panelist will share how their program is planning for and/or implementing the major categories of quality indicators (e.g., staff training, curriculum, instructional methods). Their expertise and the lessons they ve learned in building their programs utilizing an ABA approach should benefit other public school programs. 9. Using Community-based Instruction in Transition from School to Work Ballroom Daniel Baker, Ph.D., The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, and Ann Marie Sullivan, Spectrum Works This session will detail the steps to be considered when assisting youth with autism spectrum disorder to enter a fulfilling career path. Having a job, being paid a fair wage, and working in a real employment environment empowers individuals with autism with the confidence and skills needed to achieve a sense of independence, purpose, and pride. We will explain the career development process and describe how using community-based instruction can positively impact students. As an example of how these best practices can be brought to pass, we will discuss how Spectrum Works creates real work experiences for students as part of their school curriculum and leads to opportunities for meaningful employment after graduation. Autism New Jersey AUTISM

7 10. PANEL: The Journeys of Mothers of Children in Residential Placements Madison Room Moderator, Mary Beth Walsh; Panelists: Annette Evans, Linda Shaffer, and Elaine Stefanelli, Mom 2 Mom Peer Support Program, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (RUBHC) Three mothers of adults who range in age from early twenties to mid-forties will discuss the different journeys their families forged through the transition process. They will highlight issues such as the realization that their children would need out-of-home placements, the steps taken to locate and secure placements before turning 21, the impact on the family, and ongoing issues of support and supervision in residential placements. These real life stories will acquaint participants with some of the contours of this complex process. Speaker Bios...autismnj.org/transition Exhibitors Outside the Ballroom Thank you to the following sponsors and supporters for making this event possible. Autism New Jersey...autismnj.org Bancroft...bancroft.org Caregivers of NJ...njcaregivers.org Community Access Unlimited...caunj.org Dana Maher Coaching, LLC...danamaher.com Disability Rights New Jersey...drnj.org First Children Learning Services...fclearningservices.com Hinkle, Fingles & Prior...hinkle1.com MetLife Center for Special Needs Planning...metlife.com Merck & Co...merck.com Mt. Bethel Village...mtbethelvillage.com Kevin Petranich 2014 Transition Conference

8 SAVE THE DATE Registration opening May AUTISM Horizon Drive, Suite 530 Robbinsville, NJ