Howard County Autism Society Announces Transition Symposium for Youth

From HCAS: The Howard County Autism Society (HCAS), a trusted resource to hundreds of families living with autism in Howard County, Maryland, will hold its fourth annual transition symposium, Stop Waiting and Start Planning, on Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Cedar Lane School, 11630 Scaggsville Rd, in Fulton, Maryland. The day-long conference offers parents, caregivers, professionals, and transitioning youth with developmental and physical disabilities an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of transition-related topics.

“This year’s event features a plenary panel of parents whose children have successfully navigated the transition from high school, and an update on Maryland State disability policy and initiatives,” said Patrick Boxall, Vice President of HCAS. “With an expanded menu of 24 different sessions designed for a general audience, or specifically for transitioning youth, the symposium will benefit novices to the transition process as well as those in need of guidance on particular issues.”

The symposium will offer a plenary session and several breakout workshops throughout the day led by experts in the areas of finance, education, law, disabilities, and healthcare. Some sessions will be geared toward a general office, some to youth, and others will target both groups.

Planned general workshop topics include:
• IEP Planning for Transition
• Post-Secondary Vocational Training Programs
• Disability Support Services on the Post-Secondary Level
• DDA Eligibility and Services
• Self-Employment
• Assistive Technology for Transition
• Social Security Benefits
• Guardianships
• Supported Decision Making

Planned transitioning youth workshops will explore
• Public Transportation
• Dating and Relationships
• Self-advocacy
• Cooking
• Social Media
• Driving
• Money Management
• Micro-Enterprises

Allan H. Kittleman Howard County Executive, has been invited to give welcoming and the main Plenary will be given byCarol Beatty, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The Transition Symposium is an event of the Transition Outreach Partnership, a collaborative effort of HCAS, Howard County Public School System, Howard County Government, and Accessible Resources for Independence, Inc. It receives support from the Governor’s Interagency Transition Council for Youth with Disabilities (IATC) and the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC).

The cost to attend the symposium is $25 for registration prior to March 10 and $35 per person after. Admission is $10 for transitioning youth ages 14-24.
To learn more or to register for the event, please visit www.howard-autism.org.

About the Howard County Autism Society
Founded in 1993 the Howard County Autism Society (HCAS) serves as a trusted resource to hundreds of families living with autism in Howard County, Maryland. Through its support and advocacy programs, the organization raises awareness of autism that values the dignity and uniqueness of each individual and works to improve the quality of services and educational opportunities for those on the autism spectrum. HCAS, a 501(c)3, is an affiliate of the national Autism Society organization. To learn more about HCAS, visit www.howard-autism.org.

For more information:
Howard County Autism Society
410-290-3466
info@howard-autism.org
www.howard-autism.org

Image courtesy of HCAS