Transition Planning for Special Needs Students 

This workshop is designed to help parents and caregivers of children with special needs plan for life beyond high school. Transition is more than just advancing from one grade to the next.  There is so much that parents and school districts can and should do to assure students maximize their potential and have a plan for post-graduation.  Whether students are headed for college or other secondary school, employment, or self directed services, there are steps that need to be taken to prepare for increased independence.  Attendees will learn about:

1. Addressing transition needs through the IEP;

2. Developing life goals and vision statements

3. How to make the process meaningful

4.  Accessing adult services (including Self Directed Services)

5. SSI/Medicaid eligibility/Special Needs Trusts

6. Guardianship

About the Presenter

Hillary D. Freeman is deeply committed to her work representing people with disabilities and their families. As the sister of a man with autism, she is able to combine personal experience with her legal training to help families advocate for services and supports. She has experience representing clients in United States District Courts, Superior Court, Municipal Courts and Administrative Agencies in special education issues, higher education issues including accommodations on high stakes testing and graduate school admissions tests, Section 504, guardianship and adult services. She is a member of the American Association for Trial Attorneys, the International Dyslexia Association and Autism New Jersey. She serves on the Professional Advisory Board of the Learning Disabilities Association of New Jersey, and was appointed to the Board of Trustees of ASCEND, the Asperger & Autism Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. She is a member of the New Jersey Residential Committee of Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism (AFAA). She is also a member of the Elder and Disability Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association. She holds a JD from Widener University School of Law and is licensed to practice in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Specialties: Special Education Law, Estate Planning for parents of individuals with disabilities, advocating for adult services, government benefits, and guardianship.